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I 


FIRST    PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH,    GERMANTOWN. 


A  SKETCH 


The  Work  and  Worship 


Mmt  mumtUmn  %mm 


GERMANTOWN, 


PREPARED    BY 

REV.      J.      F,      DRIPPS, 

PASTOR,    1870-1880. 


PUBLISHED    BY    THE    SESSION 
1880. 


GRANT,   FAIRES  &   RODOERS, 

PRINTERS. 

54   NORTH  SIXTH  STREET, 

PHILADELPHIA. 


Ourch  Dfcm,  tic. 


Pastor. 

Rev.   J.    FREDERIC    DRIPPS. 


Session. 

The    Pastor,    ex-offieio    Moderator,    ^vith    Ruling    Elders: 
T.    CHARLTON    HENRY,  CHARLES    M.    LUKENS, 

THOMAS    MACKELLAR,  ENOCH   TAYLOR, 

EDWARD     L.   WILSON. 


Board  of  Trustees. 


ED^A7^ARD   COPE, 
JOHN   GARRETT, 
J.    BAYARD    HENRY, 
JAMES   KINNIER, 
CHARLTON    H.    ROYAL, 


SAMUEL    G.    DENNISON, 
JONATHAN   GRAHAM, 
THOMAS    F.   JONES, 
THOMAS    MACKELLAR, 
ENOCH    TAYLOR. 


OFFICERS. 


Sabbath-School  Superintendents, 


Home  School, 
Pulaskiville  School, 
Somerville  School, 


T.    CHARLTON     HENRY. 
ISAAC   C.    JONES,  Jr. 
GEORGE    F.    \A/IGGAN. 


Missionaries, 


Chapel  Minister, 
Bible-Reader, 
Foreign  Missionary, 


Rev.  JAMES   W,    KIRK. 

Mrs.    C.    D.    SCOTT. 

Mrs.  JOHN  C.   BALLAGH. 


President, 
Secretary, 
Treasurer, 


Pastoral  Aid  Society, 


Mrs.     MARY    D.    \A^ESTCOTT. 
Miss   JEANNIE    H.    BACON. 
Mrs.    THOMAS    F.   JONES. 


EXECUTIVE  COMMITTEE, 

Mrs.    WESTCOTT  and   Miss    BACON,    Ex-officio. 

Mrs.   J.    F.    DRIPPS,  Mrs.  T.  CHARLTON   HENRY, 

Mrs.   JONATHAN    GRAHAM. 


Young  Men's  Society. 


President, 
Secretary, 
Treasurer, 


J.  ADDISON  CAMPBELL. 
HARRY  K.  MANSFIELD 
GEORGE   Q.    SPIEGEL. 


PREFACE 


Ten  years  have  elapsed  since  the  present  pastor  began  work 
in  this  church.  Its  record  during  that  time  includes  the  following 
facts,  which  are  here  brought  together  for  more  convenient  reference, 
in  the  form  of  a  brief  summary. 

The  number  of  persons  who  have  been  received  into  Commu- 
nion is  348 ;  of  whom,  220  came  upon  profession  of  faith.  Two 
of  these  members  have  been  ordained  to  the  Gospel  ministry. 
There  are  at  the  present  time  372  names  on  the  roll. 

A  new  church  has  been  erected ;  the  building  and  furniture 
costing  ^70,296.00.  Of  this  sum,  $21,564.00  came  from  the  sale 
of  the  old  church,  and  the  remainder,  548,732.00  was  paid  in  cash. 

Two  mission  stations  have  been  formed,  and  a  chapel  built  for 
each.  In  the  Sunday-Schools  which  are  held  in  these  chapels, 
together  with  that  which  meets  in  the  church  itself,  there  is  a  total 
enrolled  membership  of  901.  On  the  Somerville  field  there  is  a 
Chapel  Minister,  giving  his  whole  time  to  the  work,  and  holding 
three  services  weekly.  In  other  directions  an  efficient  Bible-reader 
has  been  steaddy  engaged,  with  most  encouraging  results.  The 
ladies  have  been  organized  into  a  Pastoral  Aid  Society,  which  has 
at  present  sixteen  Standing  Committees,  each  with  its  own  distinct 
form  of  effort,  in  the  congregation,  the  neighborhood,  or  the 
mission  field.  It  supports  a  Missionary  in  Japan,  and  maintains 
scholarships  there  and  elsewhere.  There  are  75  members  in  the 
Society,  and  it  has  received  contributions  amounting,  by  the  end 
of  1879,  'o  about  $30,000.00. 

The  gifts  of  the  church  during  this  decade,  for  all  such  pur- 
poses, religious  and  benevolent,  have  been  considerably  more  than 
$175,000.00. 

As  the  Seventieth  anniversary  of  the  church  occurs  within  the 
year,  it  has  been  thought  best  to  sketch  its  earlier  history  also  ; 
incorporating  with  this,  the  facts  which  were  partially  recorded  in 
the  Manual  printed  eight  years  ago. 

7 


THE 

FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

IN 

GERMANTOWN. 


HERE  is  but  little  in  the  present  appearance  of 
this  church  to  show  that  it  originated  from  German 
stock,  and  was  for  many  years  entitled,  "The 
^  English  Church  in  Germantown."  Yet  such  a  fact 
cannot  have  been  without  influence  on  its  history  and  life. 
There  surely  is  such  a  thing  as  continuous  life  and  individual 
character  in  a  church ;  and  its  work  and  worship  can  best 
be  carried  on  by  those  who  know  that  history,  and  so 
enter  with  sympathy  and  intelligence  into  their  places  in 
its  life.  It  is  worth  while  to  trace  backward  this  particular 
record,  if  only  to  perceive  more  clearly  that  the  sincere 
purpose  of  obeying  God,  and  serving  the  gospel  of  His 
Son,  was  the  controlling  motive  which  led  to  the  founda- 
tion, not  only  of  the  edifice  in  which  we  meet,  and  of  that 
which  preceded  it,  but  of  the  church  itself,  and  of  the 
church  from  which  it  grew,  and  even  of  the  very  town  in 
which  they  were  established. 

Germantown,  or  The  German  Township,  as  it  is  called 
in  some  of  the  older  records,  was  from  its  very  foundation 
distinctly  religious.     It  was  "freedom  to  worship  God" 


lO  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

which  its  German  settlers  were  seeking  when  they  left  their 
home  in  the  Palatinate.  The  first  arrivals  reached  here  in 
1683,  ^  ^^^'^  months  after  the  settlement  of  Philadelphia, 
and  for  more  than  fifty  years  increasing  numbers  joined 
them,  impelled  by  the  same  willingness  to  live  as  exiles  in 
the  American  wilderness,  rather  than  give  up  religious 
freedom.  The  armies  of  Roman  Catholic  France  depopu- 
lated many  a  Protestant  German  village,  only  to  send 
its  inhabitants  westward  to  Pennsylvania.  So  great  were 
the  numbers  of  these  exiles,  that  the  authorities  of  this 
Province  seem  to  have  been  more  than  once  not  a  little 
alarmed  lest  Pennsylvania  should  become  German,  and 
not  English ;  and  the  population  of  the  State  has  always 
consisted  of  this  stock  in  far  greater  proportion  than  is 
generally  known.  So  late  as  1751,  nearly  one-half  of  all 
its  inhabitants  were  German.  Most  of  these  settlements, 
however,  were  in  other  parts  of  the  Province ;  there  was 
but  one  German  town  in  the  immediate  neighborhood 
of  Philadelphia.  Some  of  its  first  settlers  had,  before 
crossing  the  ocean,  joined  the  "Society  of  Friends,"  which 
had  but  recently  been  organized,  and  whose  originator, 
Fox,  was  still  living.  Others  of  them  took  the  same 
step  after  reaching  this  country,  so  that  the  house  which 
Pastorius,  the  leader  in  this  immigration,  erected  as  a  place 
of  worship  in  1686,  was  at  once  used  by  this  Society  for 
its  meetings.  Such  meetings  had  already  been  held  in  a 
private  house  since  1683. 

This  was  the  first  religious  organization  in  Germantown, 
and  Pastorius  himself  became  one  of  its  leading  members. 
He  was  a  highly  educated  man,  and  seems  to  have  kept 
its  records  in  the  English  language  from  the  beginning, 
though  German  was  spoken  at  the  meetings. 

The  first  public  testimony  which  was  ever  given  against 
Slavery,  came    from   this  meeting    in    1688:    though   the 


IN  GERMANTOWN.  I  I 

German  Friends  did  not  find  their  appeal  seconded  by 
their  English  neighbors,  who  were  not  as  yet  in  advance 
of  their  fellow-countrymen  in  this  matter. 

In  1 708  the  Mennonists  of  Germantown  formed  a  church 
of  fifty-two  members,  and  in  1723  the  Tunkers  or  Dunkards 
organized  one  in  the  district  named  after  one  of  the 
settlers,  Bebberstown,  since  corrupted  to  Beggarstown. 

The  next  church  was  that  from  which  our  own  is 
descended.  There  were,  by  this  time  quite  a  large 
number  of  the  German  Reformed  in  this  country :  in 
1 731  they  were  estimated  at  15,000.  But  there  was  an 
utter  absence  as  yet  of  regular  pastors  ;  the  home  church 
in  Germany  was  so  persecuted  and  down -trodden  that  it 
could  not  supply  its  own  wants,  much  less  those  of  the 
exiles  in  America.  The  Reformed  Church  of  Holland 
Avas  appealed  to,  and  for  many  years  all  work  among  the 
Germans  here  was  fostered  by  the  Dutch  Classis  of 
Amsterdam. 

The  first  efforts  in  this  direction  came,  however,  in  very 
unpretending  shape,  from  among  the  colonists  themselves; 
men  of  earnest  christian  hearts,  moved  by  the  spiritual 
needs  around  them,  exerted  themselves  to  do  what  they 
could,  and  ultimately  found  themselves  called  by  the 
people,  and  ordained  by  the  church  authorities,  as 
ministers  of  the  gospel. 

Such  a  man  was  the  founder  of  this  particular  church  in 
Germantown,  the  Rev.  John  Bechtel.  His  writings  and 
his  life  itself  show  him  to  be  a  warm-hearted  christian  of 
the  true  apostolic  spirit.  When  be  reached  this  country 
ii  1726,  being  at  the  time  38  years  old,  he  began 
immediate  efforts  for  the  spiritual  welfare  of  his  fellow 
colonists. 

Acting  simply  as  a  layman,  he  held  religious  meetings 
for   his   neighbors   at    his   own    house,  and    this   not   on 


12  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

Sundays  alone,  but  twice  each  day  through  the  week.  In 
a  letter  written  by  him  afterward  in  1744,  he  declares  that 
"for  the  last  sixteen  years,  (that  is,  since  1728,  two  years 
after  his  arrival)  I  have  served  the  Reformed  brethren  as 
preacher,  according  to  a  call  from  them,  and  a  written 
confirmation  of  it  from  Heidelberg  in  Germany."  He 
was  not  formally  ordained  until  1742,  when  Bishop 
Nitschman  of  the  Moravian  Church  took  the  chief  part  in 
the  service.  Long  before  this,  however,  in  1733,  five  years 
after  his  call  and  licensure  to  preach,  his  people  erected 
the  first  German  Reformed  Church  Building  in  the  State, 
and  Divine  Worship  was  regularly  conducted  in  it 
thenceforward.  The  pastors  who  succeeded  him,  were  no 
less  consecrated  and  fervent,  and  they  were  men  of  highly 
educated  minds,  regularly  trained  for  the  ministry,  and 
coming  to  this  country  in  the  veritable  missionary  spirit. 
One  of  them  especially.  Rev.  Michael  Schlatter,  was 
widely  honored  throughout  the  Province  for  his  character 
and  work  by  all  classes  and  churches.  He  was,  to  this 
church,  what  his  friend  Muhlenberg  was  to  the  Lutheran 
body. 

It  was  not  until  two  generations  of  church  life  had  thus 
passed  away,  that  the  events  took  place  which  resulted  in 
the  formation  of  our  own  church.  From  1805  to  181 1, 
the  Reformed  Congregation  had  no  settled  pastor.  So 
severely  was  this  destitution  felt,  that  in  1807  the  congre- 
gation at  Frankford,  which  was  a  branch  of  this  one  in 
Germantown  and  under  its  care,  transferred  itself  to  the 
Presbytery  of  Philadelj)hia,  and  has  since  that  time  always 
had  English-speaking  Presbyterian  pastors.  This  action 
was  taken  unanimously ;  and  the  people  assigned  as  their 
reasons,  that  they  could  in  no  other  way  maintain  religious 
services  at  all,  and  that  they  considered  the  shades  of 
difference  between  the  German  Reformed  Church  and  the 


IN  GERMANTOWN.  I  3 

Presbyterian  Church  to  be  very  sHght.  The  Hnes  of 
distinction  between  denominations  were  less  firmly  drawn 
than  now.  The  desire  for  service  in  the  English  language 
had  much  influence  with  the  congregation,  as  indeed  it 
had  with  all  the  other  German  churches  of  the  city  at 
that  time.  Each  of  them  came  to  a  point  at  which  the 
younger  members,  who  spoke  only  English,  either  changed 
the  worship  of  their  church  into  that  language,  or,  as  was 
usually  the  case,  found  themselves  obliged  to  form  a  new 
church.  The  need  was  as  pressing  in  Germantown  as 
elsewhere.  Indeed,  Rev.  Mr.  Runkel,  who  resigned  in 
1805,  had  been  in  the  habit  of  preaching  in  both 
languages  alternately.  His  preaching  at  Erankfort  was  in 
English  three  times  out  of  four.  And  even  after  his 
departure,  the  Germantown  church  is  known  to  have  had 
many  English  services.  But  the  older  members  finally 
refused  to  continue  this  compromise,  and  voted  to  call  a 
pastor  from  Germany,  who  should  use  only  his  native 
language  in  all  his  preaching.  Of  those  who  then  formed 
the  younger  generation  in  the  church,  several  are  yet 
living ;  and  they  attest  the  fact  that  German  services  were 
wholly  unintelligible  to  a  large  proportion  among  the 
youth  of  their  day.  The  attachment  of  the  older  members 
for  their  native  language  is  easily  understood ;  yet  the 
change  was  inevitable  sooner  or  later,  and  for  men  who 
had  permanently  identified  themselves  with  an  English- 
speaking  nation,  it  was  really  as  desirable  as  necessary. 
The  younger  members  began  to  feel  that  there  was  no 
alternative  but  to  organize  a  church  whose  worship  they 
could  understand. 

This  step  was  the  more  natural  because  of  the  example 
which  had  already  been  given  in  this  city,  and  by  the 
Frankford  branch  of  this  church  itself. 

Mr.  Joseph  Miller,  one  of  the  leading  members  of  the 


14  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

congregation,  was  a  chief  mover  in  the  new  enterprise. 
The  following  information  concerning  him  is  given  in  a 
letter  from  his  grandson,  Franklin  B.  Gowen,  Esq.  : 

"  Mr.  Joseph  Miller,  my  maternal  grandfather,  was  born 
at  Mount  Airy,  (in  the  upper  part  of  Germantown)  on 
January  i6th,  1757,  and  died  at  Mount  Airy  March  27th, 
1825.  He  married  Susanna  Raser,  who  was  born  January 
12,  1767,  and  who  long  survived  him,  dying  in  Phila- 
delphia, September  23d,  1853.  In  1792  he  built  the  stone 
house  at  Mount  Airy,  in  which  he  subsequently  lived  and 
died,  in  which  my  mother  and  myself  were  born,  in  which 
I  recently  lived,  and  which  is  now  occupied  by  my  brother, 
Mr.  James  E.  Gowen." 

His  father,  Sebastian  Miller,  or,  as  he  invariably  wrote 
his  name,  "  Sebastian  Miiller,"  was  undoubtedly  German  : 
his  marriage  is  on  record  as  taking  place  in  Germantown, 
April  loth,  1754.  The  family  was  one  of  the  oldest  in 
connection  with  the  German  Reformed  Congregation,  and 
Mr.  Joseph  Miller  was  a  prominent  man  in  the  community. 
It  was  with  great  reluctance  that  he  left  the  old  church, 
and  his  whole  life  and  character  confirms  the  declaration, 
that  he  really  felt  himself  compelled  by  the  religious  neces- 
sities of  his  own  children,  and  of  the  youth  around  him,  to 
act  as  a  chief  founder  of  the  new  organization. 

Another  prominent  figure  in  the  little  company  was  that 
of  the  Rev.  Samuel  Blair,  D.  D.,  son  of  the  well-known 
Presbyterian  minister  of  that  name.  He  was  therefore  of 
Scotch-Irish  descent,  and  was  born  in  Chester  County, 
Pennsylvania,  in  1741.  When  but  twenty-six  years  old,  he 
had  been  elected  to  the  Presidency  of  Princeton  College, 
but  on  finding  that  Dr.  Witherspoon  could  be  induced  to 
cross  the  ocean  and  accept  the  position,  he  resigned  in  his 
favor.  After  spending  three  years  in  Boston,  as  colleague 
with  Dr.  Sewall,  in  the  Old  South  Church,  he  came  in  1769 


IN  GERMANTOWN.  I  5 

to  GermantowiT,  where  he  lived  in  retirement,  possessed 
of  a  comfortable  estate,  and  engaged  chiefly  in  literary 
pursuits,  until  his  death  in  181 8. 

In  some  respects  the  times  were  not  propitious  for  such 
an  undertaking,  as  that  of  which  we  are  now  speaking;  for 
the  events  which  culminated  in  the  Avar  of  181 2  were 
already  producing  great  disturbance  in  commercial  and 
social  relations.  Indeed,  one  of  the  earliest  services  held 
in  the  new  edifice  after  it  was  at  last  completed,  was  for 
the  benefit  of  a  military  company  enlisted  for  the  war. 
The  occasion  is  well  remembered  by  some  who  were 
present. 

Yet  in  other  respects,  it  was  a  season  decidedly  favorable 
to  religious  activity.  There  was  everywhere  a  reaction 
from  the  spiritual  depression  which  had  been  felt  during  the 
generation  immediately  following  the  Revolutionary  War. 
The  Foreign  Missionary  work  in  this  country,  the  Sunday 
School  Union,  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Princeton, 
were  all  lifted  into  existence  at  the  same  time  with  this 
little  church,  and  by  the  same  rising  tide  of  spiritual 
influence.  Our  Presbyterian  Home  Mission  work  had  but 
just  been  fully  organized ;  there  had  been  great  revivals  in 
the  land,  such  as  had  not  been  vouchsafed  for  more  than 
one  generation.  All  such  events  are  surely  connected  one 
with  another,  not  always  by  any  conscious  purpose  of  men, 
but  by  the  purpose  and  intention  of  that  One  Person,  that 
Holy  Spirit,  who  fills  every  member  and  part  of  Christ's 
Body,  the  Church.  There  was,  by  His  grace,  a  great 
spring-tide  of  religious  life  throughout  the  whole  church 
in  this  country ;  and  there  is  a  new  interest  in  looking  at 
God's  Providential  dealings  with  this  humble  German 
village,  when  we  conceive  of  them  as  forming  one  mani- 
festation of  that  water  of  life  which  was  flooding  all  the 
coasts  of  our  land. 


I  6  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

It  was  held  to  be  Providential  indeed,  by  the  German - 
town  people,  that  just  at  this  time  there  came  into  the 
village  the  Rev.  Thomas  Dunn,  who  in  due  time  became 
the  first  pastor  of  our  church.  This  might  have  been  less 
remarkable,  if  he  had  come  in  the  character  of  a  minister 
seeking  a  church,  or  sought  by  one  :  but  the  circumstances 
were  not  of  this  kind.  He  was  born  in  Devonshire, 
England,  in  1763,  and  educated  in  the  Baptist  Church  at 
Bristol,  under  the  charge  of  Dr.  Evards  and  the  celebrated 
Robert  Hall.  He  received  pressing  calls  from  different 
churches  in  England,  which  are  still  in  possession  of  his 
family.  By  the  advice  of  Lord  Erskine  he  left  England  in 
1793,  on  account  of  the  opposition  which  had  been  excited 
by  his  publishing  a  pamphlet,  which  was  too  democratic 
for  the  times.  He  preached  for  some  time  in  Philadelphia 
and  in  Newport,  but  on  account  of  ill-health  exchanged 
this  for  a  business  life.  It  was  not,  therefore,  as  a  minister, 
but  as  a  layman,  doing  occasionally  ministerial  work,  that 
he  removed  to  Germantown,  which  he  did  in  1809.  He 
had  not  given  up  his  interest  in  gospel  work,  however,  and 
finding  the  spiritual  need  of  the  community  to  be  very 
pressing,  he  at  once  entered  with  great  heartiness  into  the 
effort  of  supplying  it. 

The  Reformed  Congregation  invited  him  to  conduct 
services  for  them  ;  there  being,  as  already  stated,  no  pastor 
at  the  time.  He  accepted  this  invitation  immediately,  and 
there  was  for  a  time  some  prospect  of  his  becoming  himself 
the  pastor,  in  which  case  the  new  church  would  not  have 
been  required.  He  had  some  time  previously  changed  his 
views  concerning  Baptism,  and  become  Presbyterian  on 
conviction,  and  now,  in  October  1809,  he  applied  for 
reception  under  care  of  the  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia,  as 
a  licensed  preacher.  There  was  considerable  delay,  how- 
ever, from  various  causes,  in  perfecting  these  arrangements. 


IN  GERMANTOWN.  I  7 

The  fact  that  Mr.  Dunn  had  come  from  another  country, 
as  well  as  from  another  cienomination,  made  it  necessary, 
according  to  the  constitution  of  our  church,  that  at  least 
one  year  should  intervene  before  his  final  reception  into 
this  body.     At  the  end  of  the  year,  however,  in  October 
1 810,  he  was  formally  received  under  care  of  Presbytery. 
It  was  then  agreed  by  Presbytery  that  since  Mr.  Dunn  had 
"  for  more  than  a  year  been  preaching  to  a  congregation 
within  our  bounds,  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  people,"  he 
should  be  regularly  appointed  to  preach  for  the  new  church. 
It  was  not  yet  a  church,  entirely  organized  as  such;  and 
this  fact  made  fresh  delay.     The  Presbytery  commissioned 
Dr.  Archibald  Alexander  to  visit  Germantown  and  explain 
to  the  people  that  until  their  organization  was  more  com- 
plete, so  that  a  regular  "  call  "  could  be  extended  by  them 
to  Mr.  Dunn,  the  way  would  not  be  open  for  his  ordination. 
They  did  indeed  form  a  distinct  congregation  ;  for  it  had 
some  time  previously  become  evident  that  the  authorities 
of  the  German  Reformed  Congregation  would  not  consent 
to  any  further  English  services ;  and  those  persons  who 
felt  the  need  of  such  services  had  withdrawn  with  the 
intention  of  constituting  an  English  Church.     For  about 
two  years  they  continued  to  meet  in  the  house  of  Dr.  Blair, 
a  commodious   building,   w^hich  is  still  standing  on   the 
eastern  corner  of  the  Main  street  and  Walnut  Lane  :  the 
same  building  which  was  in  after  years  occupied  for  awhile, 
by  the  '•  Manual  Labor  Academy,"  an  institution  which 
developed  into  Lafayette  College,  on  its  removal  to  Easton. 
It  was  always  their  purpose,  how^ever,  to  erect  a  new  edifice 
as  soon  as  possible,  and  by  March  181 1,  the  first  subscrip- 
tion books  were  opened.     In  the  heading  of  these  books  it 
is  specified  that  the  building  was  to  be  "  for  the  use  of  a 
Christian  society,  formed  on  the  principles  and  rules  of  the 
Presbyterian   Church,   under  the  superintendency  of  the 


I  8  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

General  Assembly  of  said  Church  in  the  United  States." 
While  this  work  of  preparation  was  going  on,  Mr.  Dunn 
received  ordination,  June  19,  181 1;  the  Presbytery  of 
Philadelphia  meeting  for  that  purpose  in  the  Methodist 
Church  of  Germantown.  Dr.  Archibald  Alexander  pre- 
sided, Rev.  Nathaniel  Irwin  preached,  and  Dr.  Ashbel 
Green  delivered  the  charge.  It  had  been  intended  to 
confer  this  ordination  the  previous  year,  but  some  technical 
difficulties  prevented. 

The  site  for  the  building  was  then  chosen,  and  an 
agreement  made  with  its  owner,  John  Detweiler,  for 
eight  hundred  pounds.  At  the  same  meeting  a  Building 
Committee  was  appointed,  consisting  of  Joseph  Miller, 
Henry  Bruner,  Joseph  Jacobs,  William  Sinclair,  Robert 
Bringhurst,  William  Stewart,  Jr.,  Jacob  Miller  and  George 
I.  Howell ;  Joseph  Miller  being  Treasurer  and  Isaac 
Robardeau  Secretary.  July  30,  the  building  was  staked 
off;  August  5,  ground  was  broken;  August  21,  the  deeds 
were  finally  signed  by  Mr.  Detweiler  and  wife,  after  the 
reluctance  of  the  latter  had  been  overcome  by  giving  her 
fifty  dollars  extra  for  signing,  and  promising  her  one 
hundred  cabbages  to  replace  the  set  vegetables  then 
growing  in  the  garden.  The  details  of  all  these  trans- 
actions are  recorded  with  great  minuteness  by  Mr. 
Robardeau.  Sept.  10,  the  corner-stone  was  laid.  Dr. 
Blair  presiding,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Dunn  making  the  address. 
In  January,  1812,  an  effort  was  made,  which  was  repeated 
in  1 815,  to  procure  legislative  sanction  for  the  holding  of 
a  lottery  to  raise  ^12,000;  but  this  project,  which  was 
in  those  days  quite  as  ordinary  as  church  fairs  are  now, 
was  never  carried  into  effect.  In  February,  181 2,  the 
committee,  "under  a  due  sense  of  the  benevolent  labors 
of  Mr.  Dunn,"  rented  him  a  parsonage,  paying  for  it  by 
subscription. 


IN  GERMANTOWN.  I  9 

The  record  closes  thus:  "Resolved,  That  the  com- 
mittee, sensible  of  the  obligations  which  they,  in  common 
with  their  fellow  citizens  in  the  vicinity,  are  under  to  Mr. 
Dunn  for  his  disinterested  and  affectionate  attentions, 
direct  that  this  testimony  of  their  gratitude  and  disposition 
to  reward  his  services  be  entered  on  the  Records  of  the 
Church,  at  the  same  time  regretting  that,  from  the  present 
situation  of  the  institution,  it  is  out  of  their  power  to  offer 
him  suitable  compensation." 

In  April,  Presbytery  commended  this  church  to  the  city 
congregations  for  aid,  on  the  suggestion  of  Dr.  Blair. 

On  Sabbath,  July  19,  1812,  the  church  building  was 
dedicated  to  God,  Mr.  Dunn  holding  the  dedicatory 
services  at  11  A.  m.,  and  Dr.  Alexander  preaching  at  4  p.  m. 

It  was  forty-five  feet  wide,  sixty-five  feet  deep,  and  the 
ceiling  had  a  height  of  thirty  feet  at  the  cornice  and 
thirty-three  feet  at  the  apex.  It  cost  ^17,000,  (part  of 
which  was  still  unpaid,  however)  and  was  a  substantial 
and  creditable  structure. 

During  the  same  month  an  agreement  was  made  by  Dr. 
Blair  and  Mr.  Joseph  Miller  for  an  organ  of  fourteen 
stops,  costing  $1200,  to  be  finished  within  one  year  by 
Alexander  Schlotman.  Mr.  Miller  added  to  his  other 
useful  offices,  that  of  organist  for  many  years.  August  30, 
the  first  communion  service  was  held  in  the  new  church, 
twenty-seven  communicants  partaking. 

October  26,' Joseph  Miller,  Samuel  Blair,  Henry  Brunei- 
and  William  Turnbull  were  ordained  to  the  eldership.  In 
March,  1813,  a  Board  of  Deacons  was  ordained.  On  the 
second  Thursday  in  May,  Mr.  Dunn  was  finally  installed 
as  Pastor,  Rev.  Messrs.  Potts,  Latta  and  Doake  taking 
part  in  the  service.  Mr.  Dunn's  salary  was  $800.  In 
June  additional  elders  and  deacons  were  ordained.  In 
April,  1814,  the  first  election  under  the  charter  was  held. 


20  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  . 

This  charter  provided  for  giving  the  care  of  temporal 
affairs  to  a  "Vestry"  consisting  of  twenty-six  members, 
serving  for  four  years.  The  elders  were  permanent 
members  ex  officio :  the  others  were  divided  into  four 
classes,  and  one  class  was  elected  each  year.  Dr.  Blair 
was  the  first  president  of  this  Vestry ;  Joseph  Miller 
treasurer  and  John  Cameron  secretary.  In  June,  1814,  it 
is  recorded  that  on  account  of  Mr.  Dunn's  ill  health,  the 
afternoon  service  was  omitted  and  the  evening  service 
continued,  which  indicates  that  three  services  had  been 
held  previously.  This  is  one  among  many  indications  of 
Mr.  Dunn's  energy  and  faithfulness. 

In  October,  1815,  Mr.  Dunn  resigned  his  charge  on 
account  of  ill  health,  which  prevented  his  maintaining 
such  active  work. 

He  had  been  preaching  continuously  to  this  people, 
since  the  summer  of  1809;  in  the  German  Reformed 
edifice  at  first,  then  at  Dr.  Blair's  and  in  the  new  church. 
When  he  began  this  work,  he  was  some  forty-seven  years 
of  age,  and  known  as  an  able  and  attractive  preacher. 
Contemporary  records  show  that  he  produced  a  decided 
impression  for  good  upon  the  community  at  large;  and  on 
the  part  of  the  congregation  it  is  said  that  "  God  has  sent 
unto  us  in  a  very  remarkable  manner  a  preacher  eminently 
qualified  for  this  glorious  work,  in  whom  all  are  united, 
and  whose  ministry  has  hitherto  been  greatly  blessed." 
He  afterward  resided  chiefly  at  Newport,  R.  I.,  until  his 
death  in  1833;  and  we  are  glad  to  know  that  the  same 
qualities  which  enabled  him  to  be  of  so  inestimable  benefit 
to  the  church  in  this  place  have  in  his  descendants 
produced  similar  results  elsewhere.  His  grandson,  Rev. 
Robinson  Potter  Dunn,  D.  D.,  was  well  known  as  pastor 
of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Camden,  New  Jersey, 
and  Professor  in  Brown  University:  he  also  received  a  call 


IN  GERMAXTOWN.  2  I 

to  the  pastorate  of  this  church  in  subsequent  years.  We 
regret  that  the  limits  of  this  sketch  prevent  our  dwelling 
at  length  upon  his  noble  character  and  work,  or  that  of 
the  pastors  who  succeeded  him. 

Before  the  end  of  November,  1S15,  Session  and  Vestry 
made  an  agreement  with  Rev.  George  Bourne,  member  of 
the  Presbytery  of  Lexington,  in  Virginia,  to  sup])ly  the 
pulpit  for  a  year ;  two  services  to  be  held  on  Sabbath  and 
one  on  Thursday  evening  :  salary,  $600.  Mr.  Bourne 
informed  the  Session  that  action  had  been  taken  against 
him  by  the  Presbytery  of  Lexington,  chiefly  on  account 
of  his  bold  denunciation  of  slavery ;  but  it  refused  to  give 
any  weight  to  these  charges,  and  in  January,  1816,  he 
began  regular  service  in  Germantown. 

In  March,  the  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia  notified  the 
church  that  this  action  was  deemed  irregular,  whereupon 
the  people  warmly  sustained  Mr.  Bourne  :  indeed,  they 
carried  it  so  far  that  Dr.  Blair  resigned  his  seat  in 
Presbytery  and  the  church  withdrew  from  connection  with 
it.  On  June  16,  Mr.  Bourne  was  formally  elected  pastor 
of  the  church. 

In  March,  1S17,  we  find  the  church  settling  some 
dififtculties  which  had  arisen  among  the  people  in  con- 
sequence of  this  ecclesiastical  position,  by  calling  upon 
Rev.  Messrs.  Ely,  Staughton,  Wilson,  Parker  and  Patterson 
to  act  as  an  advisory  council. 

In  May,  the  General  Assembly  referred  back  Mr.  Bourne's 
case  to  the  Presbytery  of  Lexington,  on  account  of  the 
insufficiency  of  proof  against  him  and  the  over-severity  of 
his  sentence. 

In  October,  Dr.  Blair  resumed  his  .seat  as  a  member  of 
the  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia,  Dr.  William  Neill  and 
Mr.  Dunn  having  conferred  with  him  on  behalf  of  that 
body. 


22  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

In  January,  1818,  steps  were  taken  by  the  church  vestry 
towards  re-uniting  with  the  Presbytery ;  and  on  March 
29th,  at  a  church  meeting  moderated  by  Dr.  Ely,  a  letter 
was  addressed  to  it  requesting  to  be  considered  as  again 
one  of  its  constituents,  and  asking  it  to  sanction  Mr. 
Bourne's  officiating  as  stated  minister  for  the  present.  On 
April  21,  the  Presbytery  did  accordingly  receive  the  church 
again  into  membership. 

In  May,  however,  the  General  Assembly  of  the  year 
decided  against  Mr.  Bourne.  This  occasioned  a  division 
of  sentiment  among  the  congregation  ;  but  as  the  officers 
took  decided  action  in  support  of  the  General  Assembly's 
authority,  Mr.  Bourne  withdrew  in  June,  with  the  purpose 
of  forming  a  new. organization.  On  July  14th,  we  find  the 
Presbytery,  on  application  of  the  elders  from  this  church, 
appointing  supplies  for  the  pulpit.  July  27,  the  vestry 
appointed  a  committee  to  choose  arbitrators  between  Mr. 
Bourne  and  the  church.  On  September  13th,  Mr.  Bourne 
organized  the  "  Shiloh  Independent  Church"  in  German- 
town,  with  thirty  members.  It  continued  in  existence 
only  a  few  months,  however. 

Mr.  Bourne  was  of  English  birth,  and  was  licensed  in 
London,  A.  D.  1804.  The  next  ten  years  of  his  life  were 
spent  in  Virginia  and  Maryland.  After  leaving  German- 
town,  he  took  charge  of  an  academy  at  Sing  Sing  and 
supplied  the  Presbyterian  pulpit.  He  was  afterward  pastor 
of  the  Congregational  Church  at  Quebec ;  then  at  New  York 
City,  and  at  West  Farms,  in  Reformed  Dutch  churches. 
He  died  in  1845,  aged  sixty-five.  He  was  a  man  of 
considerable  literary  attainments  as  well  as  personal  piety; 
and  his  power  is  sufficiently  shown  by  his  fearless  attacks 
upon  slavery  in  Virginia  and  upon  popery  in  Quebec.  It 
is  gratifying  to  know  that  he  survived  these  troublous 
experiences  at  Gcrmnr.town   for  nearly  thirty  years,  and 


IN  GERMAXTOWN.  23 

continued  in  the  work  of  the  ministry  up  to  old  age  with 
so  great  power  and  usefuhiess.  The  church  roll  showed 
twenty-nine  members  at  his  accession  :  he  added  forty  to 
the  list,  and  has  left  on  record  thirty-six  baptisms. 

In  October,  1818,  Dr.  William  Neill  and  Rev.  Mr. 
Potts  were  appointed  a  committee  to  visit  and  counsel  the 
Germantown  Church  on  behalf  of  Presbytery  ;  and  in 
December,  Dr.  Neill  introduced  to  that  body  Rev.  James 
Rooker,  with  the  view  of  having  him  recognized  as  pastor 
of  this  church.  Mr.  Rooker  was  accordingly  accepted  as 
a  licentiate,  (December  17,)  with  expressions  of  high  regard 
for  himself  and  appreciation  of  his  previous  usefulness  as 
an  Independent.  He,  like  both  of  his  predecessors,  was 
of  English  birth,  and  was  at  this  time  sixty-two  years  of 
age ;  but  although  a  man  of  great  experience  and  worth, 
seems  to  have  had  no  ordination  until  June,  18 19,  when  he 
was  ordained  and  installed  as  pastor  of  this  church.  Dr. 
Neill  presided ;  Rev.  Thomas  H.  Skinner  preached  the 
sermon,  and  Rev.  J.  K.  Burch  gave  the  charges. 

April  25,  1819,  "  a  Sunday  School  was  opened  in  the 
church  for  instructing  the  children  to  read  and  learn  by 
heart  portions  of  Scripture."  By  a  record  in  1825,  we  fmd 
that  the  church  was  in  the  habit  of  regular  contributions  to 
the  "United  Foreign  Missionary  Society,"  by  collections 
taken  at  the  monthly  concerts.  April  20th,  1826,  Mr. 
Rooker  resigned  his  pastoral  charge  from  infirm  health  and 
advanced  age,  though  he  continued  to  administer  the  ordi- 
nances until  his  death  in  December,  1828,  at  the  age  of 
seventy-three.  The  church  records  show  that  he  found 
thirty-one  members  enrolled  at  his  accession ;  he  added 
fifty-six,  and  performed  seventy-four  baptisms.  He  is 
remembered,  however,  less  by  such  details  of  work  than  by 
the  deep  impression  made  by  his  beautiful  christian  cha- 
racter. In  the  interval  which  followed  his  resignation, 
there  occurred  another  crisis  in  the  church  history. 


24  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

In  April,  1827,  there  being  some  $3000  debt  on  the 
church,  the  property  was  deeded  over  to  Rev.  Drs.  E.  S. 
Ely  and  J.  J.  Janeway,  of  the  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia, 
on  condition  of  their  assuming  this  debt ;  and  for  about 
five  years  the  title  to  the  property  was  in  their  hands. 
On  Mr.  Rooker's  death,  Rev.  James  Nourse  supplied  the 
pulpit  during  1829  and  part  of  1830,  adding  eight  to  the 
roll.  After  several  other  brethren  had  taken  charge  for 
shorter  periods,  Rev.  Dr.  George  Junkin  preached  for 
several  months,  adding  twenty-two  to  the  roll  of  members. 
He  was  then  principal  of  the  "Manual  Labor  Academy" 
in  Germantown,  and  is  said  in  his  biography  to  have  found 
here  "a  good  church  building,  with  the  nucleus  of  a  con- 
gregation." 

In  September,  1831,  Dr.  William  Neill,  who  had  long 
been  familiarly  acquainted  with  the  church,  assumed  per- 
sonal charge  of  it,  remaining  in  this  connection  until 
September,  1842.  With  Dr.  Neill  in  regular  charge,  the 
condition  of  affairs  began  to  improve,  and  the  congregation 
prepared  to  resume  control  of  their  property. 

It  seemed  desirable,  however,  to  make  several  changes 
in  the  constitution  of  the  church  ;  and,  to  accomplish  this, 
the  members  of  the  "  English  Presbyterian  Church  "  caused 
themselves  to  be  organized  by  Legislative  act  (June  12, 
1832)  into  a  new  corporation,  with  a  new  title,  viz. :  "  The 
First  Presbyterian  Church  in  Germantown."  There  has 
been  no  serious  incumbrance  on  the  property  since  the 
church  has  borne  the  present  title.  Several  small  claims 
did  remain  unsatisfied  for  some  years;  but  on  August  21, 
1836,  it  is  recorded  as  "  being  free  from  all  debt  whatever." 

It  was  by  no  means  strong  in  its  number  of  members, 
however,  for  a  long  time  after  this. 

During  Dr.  Neill' s  connection  with  the  church,  we  find 
Mr.  William  D.  Howard  (afterward  the  Rev.  Dr.  Howard 


IN  GERMANTOWN.  25 

of  Pittsburgh)  serving  as  elder,  and  as  President  of  the 
Board  of  Trustees,  1835-38. 

In  1838,  the  use  of  the  church  building  on  Sabbath 
afternoons  and  evenings  was  given  to  the  German  Reformed 
church  pending  the  completion  of  their  new  edifice. 

In  August,  1S41,  a  congregational  library  was  established 
by  Dr.  Neill. 

In  September  of  1842,  he  resigned  his  position,  and 
passed  his  declining  years  in  retirement,  at  his  home  in 
Philadelphia.  He  is  well-known  throughout  the  entire 
church  from  the  prominent  positions  he  heid  as  Stated 
Clerk  of  General  Assembly,  &c.  He  had  already  filled  a 
long  life  with  good  deeds  when  he  came  to  Germantown, 
and  his  residence  here  is  still  remembered  with  great 
interest.  He  admitted  forty-three  members,  and  performed 
fifty-eight  baptisms. 

From  September,  1842,  until  April,  1850,  Rev.  Thomas 
B.  Bradford  had  charge  of  the  church.  He  found  fifty-three 
enrolled  members;  added  one  hundred  and  twenty-five,  and 
performed  sixty-five  baptisms.  There  is  little  of  strongly- 
marked  incident  recorded  of  these  years,  but  they  have 
had  a  decided  influence  for  good  on  the  character  of  the 
church ;  its  whole  spirit  became  more  hopeful  and  aggressive. 
He  resigned  his  charge  in  1850,  on  account  of  painful 
bodily  ailments ;  and  was  never  able  to  resume  pastoral 
work,  although  rendering  considerable  services  to  weak 
churches  in  his  own  vicinity,  until  his  death,  in  1871,  after 
a  long  and  painful  illness. 

From  October,  1850,  until  June,  1852,  Rev.  Septimus 
Tustin,  D.  D.,  performed  a  good  work  in  this  congregation. 
Fifty-six  were  added  to  its  membership,  and  the  tide  of 
prosperity  was  rising  steadily,  when  he  felt  himself  called 
in  another  direction,  and  was  dismissed  by  the  church  with 
great  reluctance.      He  also   is  widely  known   throughout 


26  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

the  church  as  pastor  of  several  important  congregations, 
chaplain  for  many  years  in  Congress,  and  especially  as 
delegate  from  the  Old  School  General  Assembly  to  that  of 
the  New  School,  in  1863,  inaugurating  the  Re-union  move- 
ment. Dr.  Tustin  died  in  September,  187 1 ;  so  that  of  all 
the  pastors  up  to  this  year  (1852)  not  one  remains  yet  alive. 

They  deserve  much  larger  notice  than  it  is  possible  to 
give  them  within  these  brief  pages.  We  are  thankful  to 
know  that  they  are  not  dependent  for  reward  or  appreciation 
upon  us :  that  there  is  a  record  on  high,  wherein  is  no 
omission,  a  Master  who  is  not  unjust  to  forget  their  "work 
and  labor  of  love."  Theirs  is  the  fame  which  is  not 
confined  to  earth,  where  it  can  only  sound  over  their 
unhearing  bodies ;  but  that  which  comes  to  their  glorified 
spirits,  from  the  souls  whom  they  led  after  them  to  heaven, 
and  from  the  blessed  angels,  and  from  that  King  whose 
generous  praise  is  given  to  every  good  and  faithful  servant. 
Not  because  they  need  it,  but  for  our  own  sakes,  do  we 
call  to  mind  their  work  in  the  cause  of  this  church ;  so 
patient  and  persevering  through  trials  and  difficulties  which 
we  know  to  have  been  neither  few  nor  small.  The  high 
regard  in  which  they  were  held  by  the  community  at  large, 
as  men  who  were,  on  the  whole,  of  decidedly  more  than 
usual  ability,  and  of  true  devotion  and  earnestness,  was 
itself  no  small  help  to  the  church. 

It  needs  to  be  remembered  that  the  field  in  which  they 
labored  bears  a  very  different  aspect  in  our  day  from  that 
which  it  then  presented.  Instead  of  being  a  lovely  but 
somewhat  remote  country  village,  inhabited  largely  by  men 
speaking  a  foreign  tongue,  Germantown  has  become  an 
integral  part  of  Philadelphia  itself.  It  was  always  attrac- 
tive and  comparatively  populous.  Before  the  Revolution, 
it  is  said  to  have  had  "more  houses  and  people  than  any 
other   town    in    the    Province,   except   Philadelphia   and 


IN  GERMANTOWN.  2^] 

Lancaster."  There  were  hardly  more  than  2000  inhabi- 
tants, however,  when  this  church  was  organized;  in  1830 
it  claimed  to  have  4000.  The  growth  in  later  years  was 
far  more  rapid. 

The  change  from  its  foreign  aspect  was  very  gradual. 
In  1709,  the  English  Government  refused  to  continne  its 
land-owners  in  possession  of  their  land,  unless  they  became 
naturalized ;  but  in  speech  and  habits  they  were  found  to 
be  still  German,  even  in  1793,  when  the  National  Govern- 
ment, with  Washington  at  is  head,  came  to  Germantown 
for  a  time,  to  escape  the  yellow  fever  in  Philadelphia. 
From  that  time  onward,  however,  so  many  English- 
speaking  residents  came  in,  that  the  inevitable  change 
began ;  a  change  with  which  this  church,  as  we  have  seen, 
had  much  to  do.  It  is  interesting  to  read  Watson's 
description  of  the  place  in  those  days,  with  its  "  houses  of 
dark,  moss-grown  stone,  and  of  sombre  and  prison-like 
aspect,  with  little  old-fashioned  windows,  and  monstrous 
corner  chimneys  formed  of  stone  ;  "  and  of  its  being  such 
a  "very  long  town,"  with  houses  in  little  groups,  with 
intervals  between,  for  several  miles  along  the  road  ;  this 
road  itself  being  in  very  bad  condition  generally,  so  that 
most  of  the  travel  was  on  horseback.  And  yet,  within  16 
years  after  the  date  of  which  he  speaks,  it  was  connected 
with  Philadelphia  (in  1831)  by  railway,  though  not  until 
1854  did  it  become,  as  now,  the  22d  Ward  of  that  city. 

In  these  various  ways,  so  great  a  change  of  population  has 
been  effected,  that  church  life  is  of  course,  very  different 
from  what  it  was.  Comparatively  few  of  the  old  German 
families  are  now  to  be  found  in  this  congregation;  and  it 
is  no  longer  the  only  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  place. 

Partly  from  its  membership,  there  was  formed  in  1852 
the  Chestnut  Hill  Church,  and  in  1857  the  Second  Church 
of  Germantown.     In    1856,   the  old    German    Reformed 


28  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

Congregation  had  itself  become  Presbyterian  also,  con- 
necting itself,  however,  with  the  New  School  body;  the 
other  three  churches  here  being  Old  School.  It  has  been 
amidst  tendencies  like  these,  that  the  three  most  recent 
pastorates  have  carried  on  their  work.  Of  these,  the  first 
was  that  of  Rev.  Henry  J.  Van  Dyke.  He  was  born  near 
Germantown,  on  the  corner  of  Washington  Lane  and  the 
Old  York  Road  ;  studied  theology  at  Princeton,  and  also 
under  Rev.  Albert  Barnes  and  Dr.  Brainerd  ;  was  ordained 
and  installed  pastor  of  the  Second  Church,  Bridgeton,  N. 
J.,  in  June,  1845,  remaining  there  for  the  next  seven  years. 

In  July,  1852,  he  was  called  to  this  church,  and  in 
October  following,  was  installed  ;  the  services  being  in 
charge  of  Rev.  Dr.  William  Neill,  Rev.  Jacob  Belville, 
and  Rev.  Dr.  Robert  Steel. 

Mr.  Van  Dyke  had  not  been  quite  a  year  in  this  position, 
when  in  May,  1853,  he  felt  constrained  to  accept  the 
urgent  call  which  had  been  given  him  by  the  First 
Presbyterian  Church  in  Brooklyn,  New  York.  Since  then, 
he  has  become  widely  known  and  honored  as  Moderator 
of  the  General  Assembly,  and  in  other  ways.  The  church 
in  Germantown  dismissed  him  very  reluctantly.  Some 
fourteen  members  were  added  during  his  brief  stay. 

For  the  next  sixteen  years,  from  September,  1853,  to 
July,  1869,  the  Rev.  James  H.  Mason  Knox,  D.  D.,  had 
the  pastoral  charge.  He  was  born  in  New  York  city, 
educated  at  Columbia  College,  and  the  Theological 
Seminary  at  New  Brunswick,  and  licensed  by  the  Classis 
of  New  York.  His  first  pastoral  charge  was  at  German 
Valley,  N.  J.,  when  he  was  ordained  and  installed  by  the 
Presbytery  of  Newton :  and  he  afterward  removed  to  the 
Reformed  Dutch  Church  at  Easton,  Penna.,  where  a  fine 
building  was  erected,  and  paid  for  during  his  stay. 

He  was  installed  in  this  church,  November  9th,  1853, 


IN  GERMANTOWN.  29 

his  father,  Rev.  Dr.  John  Knox,  of  the  Collegiate 
Reformed  Church  in  New  York  city,  preached  the  sermon, 
and  Rev.  Roger  Owen,  of  Cliestnut  Hill,  giving  the 
charges.  This  was  the  longest  of  all  the  pastorates,  and 
that  which  witnessed  most  of  the  changes  to  which  we 
have  already  referred.  Immediately  after  the  coming  of 
Dr.  Knox  in  1854,  extensive  alterations  were  made  in  the 
church  building,  so  that  for  the  Sunday  School  and  for 
evening  lectures,  there  was  provision  made,  in  rooms 
separate  from  the  main  audience-room.  This  Avas  effected 
by  making  the  edifice  consist  of  two  stories,  instead  of  one, 
as  heretofore.  On  the  lower  floor,  besides  the  pastor's 
study,  etc.,  was  the  Sunday  School  or  Lecture  Room,  in 
which  there  still  remained  the  old-fashioned  square  pews 
which  had  been  occupied  for  so  many  years  in  the  church 
services.  Their  ample  space  was  perhaps  more  suggestive 
than  the  narrower  modern  slips,  of  the  fact  that  a  church 
is  meant  to  have  as  .its  members,  not  individuals  merely, 
but  families.  The  scriptural  teaching  on  that  point, 
however,  was  not  at  any  time  more  positive  or  effective, 
than  during  the  pastorate  in  which  this  change  was  made. 

The  body  of  Sabbath  worshippers  was  thus  brought  to 
the  upper  story,  where  they  were  provided  with  a  room  of 
ample  height,  and  were  brought  at  last  within  easy  distance 
of  the  pulpit,  which  had  in  former  years  towered  far  above 
them  in  the  air.  The  church  building  was  renewing  its 
youth,  and  became  much  more  convenient  and  useful 
than  before. 

The  improvement  in  its  edifice  may  be  taken  as  an  indi- 
cation of  a  corresponding  access  of  new  life  throughout  the 
church  itself.  One  token  of  this  is  found  in  the  very  fact 
that  these  alterations  were  undertaken  at  no  less  a  cost  than 
$7000,  which  was  no  small  sum  for  a  congregation  such  as 
this  had  been.     In  fact,  it  is  one  of  the  especial  features  of 


30  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

this  pastorate,  frequently  recognized  as  such,  that  the  spirit 
of  liberality  in  giving  to  christian  enterprises,  was  so 
successfully  fostered.  Instead  of  being,  as  at  its  best  estate 
hitherto,  barely  self-supporting,  or  even  dependent  on  the 
Home  Mission  Board  for  assistance,  the  church  became 
henceforth  a  generous  giver  to  gospel  work  outside  of  its 
own  bounds.  This  was  not  merely  from  the  new  families 
who  were  attracted  into  its  membership,  but  from  the  patient 
and  faithful  development  of  this  grace  in  the  congregation 
at  large.  Contributions  increased  in  far  greater  proportion 
than  did  the  wealth  of  the  people,  and  since  the  giving 
was  made  to  depend  not  on  impulse,  but  on  christian  and 
scriptural  principle,  its  results  in  the  people  have  not  been 
temporary,  but  life-long;  by  no  means  ceasing  to  bear 
fruit,  even  after  the  removal  to  another  field,  of  the  hand 
which  had  given  this  training.  There  was  raised  for 
religious  purposes  during  the  pastorate  of  Dr.  Knox  some- 
what more  than  ^107,000,  of  which  amount  ^63,229  were 
sent  to  the  various  missionary  and  benevolent  boards  of 
the  church  at  large.  Since  this  came  from  growth  in 
grace,  and  not  solely  from  growth  in  riches,  it  is  of  course 
good  evidence  of  other  spiritual  progress,  which  may  not 
be  so  easily  described  in  words.  Dr.  Knox  received  two 
hundred  and  seventy-five  persons  into  membership,  and 
performed  one  hundred  and  sixty-eight  baptisms. 

He  resigned  his  position  in  July,  1869,  and  has  been  for 
several  years  in  charge  of  the  church  in  Bristol,  Penna., 
within  the  same  Presbytery  as  Germantown.  His  continued 
interest  in  this  church,  and  our  affectionate  remembrance 
of  him,  are  evidenced  continually  by  the  manner  in  which 
his  presence  is  invited  and  welcomed  on  any  occasion  of 
special  importance  in  the  life  of  his  old  people. 

In  October,  1869,  Rev.  J.  Frederic  Dripps  was  invited 
to  supply  the  pulpit,  and  shortly  afterward  arrangements 


IN  GERMANTOWN.  3  I 

were  commenced  for  having  him  called  to  the  pastoral 
charge  ;  but  at  his  own  request  this  was  postponed  for  a 
month,  to  enable  more  intelligent  action  on  both  sides. 
At  the  expiration  of  this  time  he  was 'given  the  call 
unanimously,  on  January  3d,  1870. 

He  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  and  graduated  at  the 
University  of  the  City  of  New  York,  and  at  the  Princeton 
Theological  Seminary.  In  the  interval  which  elapsed  after 
graduation,  and  before  coming  to  Germantown,  he  had 
preached  for  six  months,  during  the  pastor's  absence,  in 
the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Indianapolis,  and  afterward 
for  eight  months  in  the  American  Presbyterian  Church  of 
Montreal,  Canada.  He  was  ordained  and  installed  in 
Germantown,  March  7,  1870,  Rev.  Mr.  Beggs  presiding  as 
Moderator  of  the  Presbytery ;  Rev.  Dr.  John  Hall  of  New 
York  preaching  the  sermon,  Rev.  Dr.  Withrow  (then  of 
Philadelphia)  giving  the  charge  to  the  pastor,  and  Rev. 
Dr.  Murphy  of  Frankford,  giving  that  to  the  people. 

One  of  the  earliest  movements  in  the  church,  under  this 
pastorate,  was  that  which  looked  toward  the  erection  of  a 
new  house  of  worship.  It  is  pleasant  to  remember  that 
this  step,  like  so  many  of  those  which  we  have  already 
recorded,  came  from  motives  which  were  not  those  of 
worldly  ambition,  but  of  sincere  desire  for  more  effective 
work  and  worship.  It  is,  at  times,  the  case  that  even 
when  some  christian  enterprise  does  end  in  good,  yet  its 
beginning  is  made  under  somewhat  questionable  circum- 
stances ;  so  that  a  church  may  be  born  of  dissension,  or  an 
edifice  erected  from  the  mere  spirit  of  display.  It  is, 
therefore,  cause  for  sincere  thankfulness  to  God  that  we 
can  ascribe  to  His  own  grace  and  guidance  this  building ; 
even  as  we  cah  trace  to  Him  the  origin  of  the  former 
building,  of  the  congregation  itself,  and  of  the  very  com- 
munity in  which  it  is  situated. 


32  FIRST  PRESP.YTERIAN  CHURCH 

In  April,  1870,  the  spiritual  influence  of  the  communion 
season  continued  to  show  itself  in  a  permanently  increased 
attendance  at  the  usual  weekly  prayer-meetings,  and  that 
to  an  extent  sufficient  to  produce  the  necessity  for  increased 
accommodations  in  the  lecture-room.  A  collection  was 
made  for  this  purpose  on  the  ist  of  May.  On  the  17th  of 
May,  the  Trustees  met  to  arrange  for  executing  the  work, 
but  found  themselves  planning  -so  many  other  improve- 
ments, that  they  were  led  to  think  seriously  of  erecting  an 
entirely  new  edifice.  This  project  had  encountered  so 
many  obstacles  whenever  attempted  previously,  that  the 
expectation  of  success  was  not  at  all  sanguine.  Still,  as  it 
seemed  to  be  a  plain  duty  to  make  the  effort,  it  was 
undertaken. 

One  great  difficulty  had  always  been  that  of  finding  the 
proper  site.  The  lot  occupied  by  the  old  building  was  too 
irregular  in  shape  to  be  desirable,  and  its  value  for  business 
purposes  made  its  sale  expedient.  It  was  not  easy,  however, 
to  find  a  new  site,  satisfactory  in  other  respects,  which 
would  be  convenient  for  this  widely-scattered  congregation, 
without  interfering  with  any  other  church.  At  this  precise 
juncture,  a  property  was  offered  for  the  purpose  in  a  manner 
which  we  certainly  have  warrant  for  considering  provi- 
dential. The  property  itself  had  not  been  for  sale  before 
this  time,  forming,  as  it  did,  a  large  part  of  the  garden 
attached  to  a  private  residence ;  and  even  had  it  been 
offered  to  us  at  any  earlier  date,  there  were  obstacles  on 
the  other  side,  preventing  its  acceptance  by  this  church. 
Every  obstacle  seemed  now  to  be  removed,  however,  as 
quickly  as  presented,  and  as  the  site  was  entirely  convenient 
for  the  congregation,  was  on  an  avenue  as  desirable  as  any 
in  Germantown,  and  was  so  satisfactory  in  other  respects, 
the  offer  was  accepted.  The  congregation  formally  author- 
ized the  sale  of  the  old  property  and  purchase  of  the  new 


IN  GERMANTOWN.  33 

one,  July  ii.  The  fall  was  spent  in  procuring  suitable 
plans  for  the  building.  The  time  of  year  when  we  were 
enabled  to  make  this  decision,  was  so  ordered  as  exactly  to 
suit  both  our  need  of  time  for  full  preparation,  and  our 
desire  to  make  a  start  with  the  very  beginning  of  the 
building  season.  The  general  plans  furnished  by  Mr. 
James  H.  Windrim,  the  architect,  being  selected,  the 
matter  was  formally  laid  before  the  congregation  by  the 
pastor  on  Sabbath,  December  ii,  and  within  the  week  the 
sum  of  $20,000  was  subscribed.  This  amount,  in  addition 
to  the  value  of  the  old  property,  gave  so  solid  a  foundation 
pecuniarily,  that  Building  and  Finance  Committees  were 
appointed  at  once,  and  went  vigorously  to  work. 

On  the  Building  Committee  were  Messrs.  T.  Charlton 
Henry,  William  Adamson,  Thomas  MacKellar,  Enoch 
Taylor,  Woodruff  Jones  and  Thomas  H.  Garrett ;  Messrs. 
Henry,  Adamson  and  MacKellar  being  given  personal 
supervision  of  the  work. 

The  Finance  Committee  consisted  of  Messrs.  James 
Garrett,  James  Kinnier,  Dr.  G.  H.  Burgin,  Jonathan 
Graham,  Charles  W.  Henry  and  W.  B.  MacKellar. 

February  i6th,  the  contract  was  let  to  Messrs.  James 
Kinnier  and  Sons,  and  early  in  March  ground  was  broken. 
The  nature  of  the  soil  threatened  to  prevent  the  securing 
of  a  good  foundation  ;  but,  by  the  marked  personal  energy 
of  the  contractors,  every  ditificulty  was  overcome,  and  a  solid 
rock  foundation  was  at  last  secured  for  the  whole  building. 
From  that  time,  everything  went  on  prosperously,  even  in 
little  things.  The  stone,  which  was  from  a  newly-opened 
quarry,  turned  out  to  be  excellent ;  all  the  other  material 
proved  satisfactory,  and  the  different  classes  of  workmen 
made  such  close  connection  one  with  another  that  no  time 
was  lost  through  delays.  No  injury  to  life  or  limb  was 
permitted ;  the  workmen  proved  to  be  honest  and  obliging, 


34  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

and  the  contractors,  .by  their  faithful  and  disinterested 
exertions,  carried  as  they  were,  beyond  all  that  could  have 
been  required  of  them.,  showed  plainly  that  their  chief  aim 
was  to  present  the  church  of  which  they  had  so  long  been 
members,  with  an  edifice  which  would  be  found  thoroughly 
substantial  and  satisfying. 

Not  only  in  the  contractors,  and  the  Building  Committee, 
and  the  larger  subscribers,  but  throughout  the  whole  mass 
of  the  congregation,  a  spirit  of  zeal  and  devotion  was 
manifest  throughout  the  work.  All  contributions  were 
voluntary,  no  extraneous  means  were  needed  ;  the  sending 
out  blank  subscription  cards  secured  abundant  returns. 
The  liberality  of  these  gifts  on  the  part  of  all  classes  was 
the  more  noticeable,  because  of  the  fact  that  no  other  part 
of  church  work  was  suffered  to  flag  on  account  of  this. 
It  was,  indeed,  a  period  of  unusual  energy  in  all  kinds  of 
christian  work. 

The  pleasure  experienced  from  the  unity  and  good 
feeling  of  the  congregation  itself,  was  almost  equalled  by 
that  which  came  from  the  kindly  interest  and  sympathy  of 
the  other  churches  and  of  the  community  in  general. 

An  additional  favor  was  shown  in  enabling  us  to  dispose 
of  the  old  building  in  a  way  so  unusually  satisfactory ;  it 
was  sold  to  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  of 
Germantown,  under  circumstances  exceedingly  pleasant  and 
gratifying  to  both  parties.  In  short,  the  Lord  gave  help 
and  guidance  in  every  direction,  far  beyond  what  was 
anticipated.  On  the  morning  of  Sabbath,  May  12,  1872, 
the  substance  of  the  foregoing  sketch  was  given  to  the 
congregation,  in  preparation  for  the  farewell  service  in  the 
old  building,  which  was  held  on  the  same  evening.  The 
new  edifice  was  used  during  the  next  week  for  a  prayer 
meeting  on  Wednesday  and  social  meeting  on  Friday,  both 
held  in  the  "Children's  Church,"  as  it  was  called,  and 


IN  GERMANTOWN.  35 

_  very  largely  attended.  On  Sabbath  morning,  May  19,  the 
first  service  was  held  in  the  church  proper,  its  object  being 
to  recognize  this  building  as  a  gift  from  God  to  us;  in  the 
evening  we  solemnly  gave  it  again  to  Him  at  the  dedication 
service. 

On  this  occasion  there  were  in  the  pulpit  and  partici- 
pating in  the  exercises,  Rev.  J.  H.  M.  Knox,  D.  D.,  R. 
D.  Harper,  D.  D.,  E.  P.  Cowan  and  A.  McCuUagh,  with 
the  pastor  of  the  church,  while  the  congregations  of  the 
Market  Square,  and  the  Second  Presbyterian  Churches, 
and  of  Trinity  Lutheran  Church,  combined  with  our  own 
to  produce  an  audience  which  filled  not  only  the  pews,  but 
the  aisles  and  every  passage  and  entrance-hall.  The 
dedicatory  prayer  was  offered  by  the  pastor,  and  the 
sermon  preached  by  Rev.  Robert  D.  Harper,  D.  D.,  from 
Haggai  ii.  9 ;  Rev.  Dr.  Knox  closing  with  the  benediction 
from  Numbers  vii.  24-26.  The  hymns  and  anthems  were 
rendered  by  a  large  choir  under  the  direction  of  Mr. 
Woodruff  Jones. 

The  following  is  a  brief  description  of  the  new  edifice  : 
It  is  situated  on  the  north  side  of  Chelten  Avenue, 
about  two  hundred  feet  west  of  Germantown  Avenue,  and 
consists  of  a  church  proper  with  transverse  building  in  the 
rear  for  lecture  room,  etc.  The  entire  length  is  one 
hundred  and  thirty-seven  feet,  and  the  extreme  width 
eighty-eight  feet ;  the  apex  of  the  roof  rising  sixty-six  feet 
from  the  ground,  and  the  spire  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet. 
The  masonry  is  of  gneiss  rock,  with  selected  facings.  Two 
vestibules,  at  opposite  corners  of  the  front,  afford  entrance 
to  the  church  proper,  which  is  eighty  feet  long,  fifty-nine 
feet  wide,  and  forty-four  in  height  to  the  apex  of  the 
ceiling.  The  organ  and  choir  occupy  a  raised  platform  in 
the  alcove  between  the  two  front  vestibules,  the  pulpit 
alcove  being  at  the  opposite  end  of  the  room.     Abundant 


36  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

light  is  secured  during  the  day,  by  the  large  double 
windows  on  each  side  and  the  rose-window  in  front,  forty 
feet  in  circumference ;  and  at  night  by  two  large  reflectors 
just  below  the  apex  of  the  ceiling,  containing  thirty-six 
burners  in  each.  The  whole  interior  finish  is  conformed 
in  detail  to  the  style  of  the  building,  which  is  Gothic,  of 
the  early  decorated  type. 

The  woodwork,  including  pulpit  and  organ  case,  doors 
and  wainscoting,  pews  and  furniture,  is  of  black  walnut, 
finished  in  oil  with  smooth  glass. 

The  rear  building  contains  on  the  ground  floor,  a  lecture 
room  and  infant-school  room ;  on  the  second  floor,  the 
main  Sunday  School  room,  which  is  a  large  and  lofty  hall, 
affording  a  very  beautiful  "church  for  the  children." 
Opening  from  this  are  the  pastor's  study  and  the  ladies' 
parlor,  over  which  is  a  gallery  with  alcoves  for  the  Bible 
classes.  The  whole  effect  of  this  floor  is  unusually  pleasing. 
Every  room  and  passage  in  the  whole  edifice  was  painted 
in  fresco  by  Kehrweider  Brothers,  in  the  most  satisfactory 
manner. 

Especial  care  has  been  given  to  the  ventilation  :  among 
the  means  which  are  used  being  ducts  which  have  per- 
forated openings  through  the  floor,  and  communicate  with 
a  large  ventilating  shaft,  perforated  openings  in  the 
ceilings,  which  can  he  regulated  or  closed  at  will,  the 
usual  flues  in  the  walls,  etc.  The  architect  was  James  H. 
Windrim,~Esq.,  of  Philadelphia.  A  new  organ,  valued  at 
^4,300,  was  constructed  by  the  Messrs.  Standbridge,  of 
Philadelphia,  under  the  special  supervision  of  Mr.  Wood- 
ruff Jones,  in  readiness  for  the  dedication  services.  In 
exterior  appearance  and  in  quality  of  tone,  it  is  all  that 
could  be  desired. 

The  total  cost  of  the  building  and  furniture  was 
$70,296.00.     Of  this  amount,  $21,564.00,  came  from  the 


IN  GERMANTOWN.  ^il 

sale  of  the  old  building  and  organ,  leaving  ^48,732.00  as 
the  amount  paid  in  cash  by  the  congregation.  The  entire 
valuation  of  the  property  is  $79,796.00,  which  includes 
$9,500  for  the  ground  ;  this  however,  was  taken  upon  a 
mortgage,  having  several  years  before  maturity. 

So  far  as  the  edifice  itself  is  concerned,  including 
furniture,  etc.,  the  arrangements  were  so  made,  that 
payments  were  distributed  over  two  or  three  successive 
years ;  and  in  due  time  every  cent  was  paid  in  full.  This 
was  almost  wholly  accomplished  by  those  who  had  been 
with  us  when  the  work  began,  for  during  the  execution  of 
such  an  enterprise,  a  church  can  hardly  expect  to  receive 
any  large  accessions  to  its  membership  from  outside. 
Those  who  did  join  us  at  that  time,  however,  took  up  at 
onee  their  full  share  with  the  rest.  Subscriptions  were 
made  at  the  beginning  of  each  year  during  the  work, 
being  sent  to  the  Trustees  upon  cards,  furnished  for  that 
purpose.  Payments  were  made  in  advance,  either  weekly, 
monthly  or  quarterly,  as  preferred  by  the  subscriber. 
And  they  came  in  from  all  classes,  rich  and  poor,  adults 
and  children. 

More  than  one  family  from  whom  five  dollars  would 
have  been  counted  a  fair  gift,  sent  in  this  way  over  fifty 
dollars  in  weekly  instalments.  The  poorest  member  who 
could  give  but  five  or  ten  cents  a  week,  felt  the  new 
church  to  be  his  own,  as  really  as  the  giver  of  thousands 
did;  and  with  good  reason,  for  each  gave  his  own  proper 
share. 

No  fairs  were  held,  and  no  appeals  made,  except  the 
mere  statement  from  time  to  time,  usually  but  once  a  year, 
of  the  amount  needed ;  and  so  far  as  the  pastor  was 
concerned,  these  annual  statements  included  all  the  service 
which  was  asked  of  him,  in  connection  with  the  raising  of 
money. 


38  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

In  addition  to  the  money  which  was  thus  cheerfully 
given,  even  during  the  time  of  commercial  disaster,  which 
came  on  before  the  payments  were  finished,  many  valuable 
articles  were  presented  by  different  members,  in  token  of 
special  interest  and  affection.  Altogether,  the  erection  of 
this  building  was  not  only  a  fruit  of  grace,  but  very 
decidedly  a  means  of  grace  in  every  way.  There  are  only 
grateful  and  pleasant  associations  connected  with  it. 

It  may  be  well  to  mention  in  this  connection,  the  fact 
that  before  entering  the  new  edifice,  a. change  of  plan  for 
meeting  the  current  annual  expenses  was  adopted. 

On  the  3d  of  April,  1S72,  after  considering  the  subject 
at  two  meetings,  in  successive  weeks,  the  congregation 
voted  to  leave  it  to  each  member  to  decide  for  himself  how 
much  he  would  pay  toward  church  expenses,  instead  of 
having  it  decided  for  him  by  the  committee  on  pew  rents. 
This  was  not  done  with  any  idea  of  calling  this  a  ''free 
church,"  nor  was  any  particular  name  given  to  the  plan, 
but  it  was  felt  that  the  change  from  one  church  building 
to  another,  gave  a  suitable  opportunity  for  arranging  this 
matter  in  a  way  which  commended  itself  as  more  desirable 
than  the  former  method. 

Accordingly,  it  Avas  agreed  that  each  person  or  family 
attending  the  church  should  be  assigned  a  permanent  seat 
or  pew,  on  which  their  name  should  be  kept  so  long  as 
they  continued  regularly  to  occupy  it.  The  ownership  and 
control  of  each  pew  remains,  however,  with  the  church 
itself,  and  not  with  the  occupant ;  no  person  has  any  claim 
upon  a  seat  beyond  the  time  during  which  he  regularly 
uses  it.  No  price  has  ever  been  charged  for  a  seat,  and  no 
rent  was  ever  assessed.  Each  regular  attendant  is  of  course 
expected  to  bear  his  own  share  of  the  common  expense, 
bnt  it  has  been  honestly  left  to  the  person  himself  to 
decide  what  that  share  is.     At  the  beginning  of  each  year 


IN  GERMANTOWN.  39 

a  printed  estimate  of  the  amount  which  will  be  required 
for  the  next  twelve  months,  is  distributed  among  the 
congregation,  and  then  blank  subscription  cards  are  sent 
to  each  person.  These  are  filled  out  by  the  persons 
themselves,  who  thereby  undertake,  so  far  as  God  shall 
enable  them,  to  pay  a  certain  amount  each  week,  or  month, 
or  quarter,  during  the  year,  but  the  contents  of  these 
subscription  cards  are  not  made  public.  The  money  is 
paid  at  the  beginning  of  each  week,  or  month,  &c.,  by 
inclosing  the  proper  amount  in  one  of  the  envelopes  sent 
for  the  purpose,  (each  of  them  having  upon  it  certain 
figures,  which  indicate  to  the  Treasurer  whose  it  is),  and 
dropping  the  envelope  into  the  box  near  the  entrance  door 
of  the  church.  It  is  not  known  that  any  person  has  ever 
taken  unfair  advantage  of  this  plan,  but  on  the  contrary, 
far  larger  amounts  were  brought  in,  when  each  member  felt 
that  his  share  was  to  be  fixed  according  to  the  impulse  of 
his  own  heart  and  conscience. 

In  the  first  year,  instead  of  ^2000,  which  had  been  the 
largest  sum  ever  paid  for  pew-rents,  some  ^4600  were 
subscribed  and  paid;  next  year  the  amount  was  $5600,  and 
it  has  continued  to  be  from  ^5500  to  ^6000  since  then. 
Great  satisfaction  is  felt  with  this  plan.  It  prevents  any 
possibility  of  having  pews  in  the  house  of  God  sold  like 
real  estate  in  the  public  riiarket,  to  buyers  who  may  have 
none  but  a  pecuniary  interest  in  them.  It  retains  full 
control  over  every  seat  in  the  hands  of  the  church  itself. 
It  has  relieved  persons  who  could  not  continue  to  pay  as 
largely  as  in  former  years,  from  any  need  to  explain  or 
apologize,  or  ask  indulgence,  since  they  are  always  at 
liberty  to  adjust  their  subscription  to  their  means  as  a 
matter  of  right.  Should  the  total  amount  subscribed  prove 
inadequate,  a  statement  to  that  effect  would  be  made  to 
the  whole  congregation,  and  an  increase  of  ::o  much  per 


40  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

cent,  on  each  subscription  would  be  requested.  The 
response  to  this  appeal  also  would  be  voluntary,  but  it  has 
proved  none  the  less  reliable  on  that  account. 

Another  subject,  closely  connected  with  this,  which  also 
received  careful  ^attention  for  some  years,  was  that  of 
systematic  beneficence;  /.  e.,  the  collecting  of  money,  not 
for  the  operations  of  the  congregation  itself,  but  for  outside 
objects  of  a  missionary  or  charitable  nature.  The  year  in 
which  this  pastorate  began  was  the  same  as  that  which 
witnessed  the  Re-union  between  Old  School  and  New 
School;  and  that  event  was  followed  by  much  effort  to 
increase  and  systematize  benevolent  contributions.  So  far 
as  this  particular  church  is  concerned,  no  change  was 
made  in  the  method  formerly  used. 

One  Sabbath  in  the  year  is  designated  for  a  collection  in 
behalf  of  each  of  those  regular  objects  of  benevolence, 
which  are  under  the  charge  of  the  Boards  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  Notice  is  always  given  to  the  congregation  on 
the  preceding  Sabbath,  and  a  careful  explanation  of  the 
object  for  which  money  is  asked,  is  given  at  the  time  by  the 
pastor.  The  contributions  are  received  in  plates  handed 
around  as  usual,  and  before  being  finally  sent  off,  the 
collection  is  retained  in  the  Treasurer's  hands  for  a  week, 
in  order  that  any  persons  who  were  not  present  at  the  time 
may  send  in  their  gifts  to  him.  This  latter  opportunity  is 
constantly  used,  and  the  plate  collection  is  considerably 
increased  by  the  sums  voluntarily  sent  in  by  those  who 
were  absent  or  unprepared  when  it  was  taken. 

It  has  been  found  by  experience,  that  this  plan  com- 
mends itself  by  its  results,  quite  as  well  as  some  far  more 
elaborate  methods  which  were  proposed  to  us ;  and  it 
should  be  understood  that  our  disinclination  to  change  is 
the  result,  not  at  all  of  neglecting  to  examine  these  other 
plans,  but  of  finding  them  not  so  satisfactory  to  us  as  the 


IN  GERMANTOWN.  4 1 

old  way.  For  example,  one  system  frequently  suggested, 
was  that  of  asking  each  member  to  subscribe  in  advance, 
whatever  sum  he  could,  for  external  benevolent  purposes 
in  general,  during  the  year ;  the  total  amount  so  raised, 
being  then  divided  by  the  Session  aipong  the  various 
Boards,  in  proportion  to  their  respective  claims.  This  was 
called  by  its  advocates  "The  Systematic  Plan,"  but  the 
advantages  which  it  claimed  have  been  secured  quite  as 
well  by  the  old  system.  The  "Plate  Collection"  is  as 
really  a  system,  with  regular  results,  as  this  other  scheme. 
It  does  not,  in  our  experience,  leave  the  amouut  for  each 
Board  to  be  reduced  indefinitely  by  such  casualties  as  the 
occurrence  of  stormy  weather  on  the  collection  Sabbath, 
for,  as  stated  above,  all  the  larger  givers,  and  many  of  the 
others,  are  in  the  habit  of  sending  in  their  gifts  afterward,  if 
prevented  at  the  time.  It  was  claimed  for  the  new  scheme, 
that  it  made  christian  giving  to  be  matter  of  principle,  and 
not  dependent  on  the  impulse  of  special  appeals ;  but  it  is 
difficult  to  see  why  principle  may  not  be  aided,  as  well 
as  impulse,  by  an  explanation  from  the  pulpit, of  each 
particular  object,  at  the  time  when  it  is  presented  for 
contributions.  And  the  new  plan  was  felt  by  us  to  be 
"systematic"  in  a  very  objectionable  way,  when  it  inter- 
fered with  the  freedom  of  individual  christians  to  decide 
the  proportion  in  which  they  wou-ld  devote  their  voluntary 
offerings  to  one  and  another  form  of  the  Lord's  work. 
Every  person  and  every  church,  has  an  individuality  of  its 
own,  with  which  this  general  scheme,  with  its  fixed  per- 
centages, was  felt  to  be  in  conflict.  The  same  end,  so  far 
as  it  is  desirable,  has  been  gained  by  simply  explaining  to 
the  people  the  claims  of  each  Board  in  its  turn,  and 
leaving  to  them  the  proportioning  of  their  gifts. 

The  sum  total  of  contributions  made  by  this  church  for 
religious  and   benevolent   purposes,   within    the   last   ten 


42 


FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 


years,  exceeds  $175,000:  more  than  that  sum  having 
already  been  contributed  at  the  beginning  of  December, 
1879.  Of  this  amount,  over  $73,000  were  given  to  objects 
outside  of  the  church  itself,  such  as  Home  and  Foreign 
Missions,  etc.  If  is  cause  of  gratitude  to  God,  that  He 
has  so  maintained  the  grace  of  liberality  within  this 
people,  that  during  a  decade  in  which  they  could  not  help 
feeling  the  commercial  depression  of  the  times,  their  gifts 
for  religion  were  increased  and  not  diminished.  This  has 
been  effected  without  resorting  to  fairs,  and  similar 
questionable  expedients :  against  which  there  has  always 
been  a  strong  feeling  in  the  church.  The  giving  has 
been  from  principle,  and  with  every  indication  of  that 
cheerfulness  which  God  has  pronounced  well-pleasing  to 
Him. 

The  regular  annual  collections  for  those  departments  of 
christian  work,  which  are  carried  on  by  the  Boards  of  our 
Church,  are  arranged  in  the  following  order,  viz. : 

In  January, Foreign  Missions. 

February, Education. 

March, Sustentation. 

May, Publication. 

September, Church  Erection. 

October, Ministerial  Relief. 

November, •  Home  Missions. 

December, Freedmen. 

There  is  another  department  of  church  life  which  claims 
attention  on  the  record,  namely,  that  of  personal  and 
active  effort.  One  of  our  earliest  movements  in  this 
direction,  during  the  last  decade,  was  the  organization  of 
the  Ladies'  Pastoral  Aid  Society.  This  took  place  on  the 
20th  of  April,  1870. 

There  was   already  in    existence   a   Domestic    Mission 


IN  GERMAXTOWX.  43 

Society,  which  had  been  for  eighteen  years  sending  boxes 
to  Home  missionaries ;  and  a  Bible-readers'  Society,  with 
Mother's  Meetings  under  its  care :  besides  which,  Dorcas 
Meetings  were  held,  and  collections  were  made  by  visitors 
for  the  Women's  Union  Foreign  Mission  Society.  It 
was  important  that  this  Foreign  Mission  work  should  be 
regularly  organized  and  extended,  that  systematic  visiting 
should  be  undertaken,  and  the  way  opened  for  still  other 
forms  of  work.  Yet  it  was  evidently  undesirable  to  indefi- 
nitely multiply  separate  organizations.  The  endeavor  was 
therefore  made  to  form  a  Union  of  these  societies,  of  such 
a  kind  that  each  could  be  unfettered  in  doing  its  own 
work,  and  yet  have  opportunity  for  meeting  all  the  others, 
at  regular  intervals,  for  mutual  council  and  aid.  This 
Union  or  Association  could  have  supervision  over  all  the 
various  societies  of  which  it  was  formed,  by  means  of  a 
central  Executive  Committee,  while  it  would  in  reality  be 
not  so  much  another  new  society,  but  rather  a  combination 
of  those  which  already  existed. 

In  all  but  name,  this  is  the  precise  thing  which  was  done. 
The  new  organization  was  called  the  Pastoral  Aid  Society, 
and  each  of  the  societies  which  combined  to  form  it,  had 
its  title  changed  to  that  of  "  Standing  Committee."  But 
the  "Bible-reader's  Committee"  continued  to  have  every 
■power  which  it  had  possessed  while  it  was  called  the 
"Bible-reader's  Society;"  it  did  the  same  work,  had  the 
same  officers,  and  was,  within  itself,  entirely  the  same  as 
before.  The  only  new  feature  was  in  its  external  relations ; 
it  had  agreed  to  unite  with  the  other  committees,  and 
to  give  general  supervision  of  its  affairs  to  this  Union. 
The  supervision,  however,  was  hardly  more  than  nominal, 
for  its  sole  object  was  to  advise  and  help,  if  necessary, 
but  not  to  constrain.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  not  only 
this,  but  every  other  committee,  has  conducted   its  own 


44 


FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 


affairs,  at  meetings  of  its  own,  as  freely  as  though  no 
Pastoral  Aid  Society  existed.  The  work  of  each  has  been 
the  more  energetic,  and  not  the  less  so,  because  of  its 
connection  with  all  the  rest.  .  Experience  has  shown  the 
plan  to  be  easily  worked  and  efficient.  Many  new  forms 
of  work  have  been  carried  into  successful  operation,  which 
would  not  have  been  undertaken  but  for  the  help  afforded 
by  this  Society,  and  the  older,  more  familiar  work,  has 
been  not  only  sustained  but  enlarged. 

There  has  been  the  utmost  degree  of  freedom  for  indi- 
vidual impulse,  and  for  gratifying  personal  inclination 
toward  particular  kinds  of  activity,  consistent  with  the 
benefits  of  orderly  combination  and  harmony.  Whatever 
sort  of  christian  effort  may  elicit  the  interest  of  any  woman 
in  the  church,  she  can  find  in  this  Society  a  ready  means 
of  enlisting  others  to  help  her,  and  of  forming  thus  a 
committee  for  that  particular  object.  This  committee  can 
give  information  of  its  condition  and  needs  at  every 
Pastoral  Aid  Meeting,  and  thus  secure  sympathy  and  aid, 
while  at  the  same  time  it  is  given  enough  of  supervision  to 
keep  it  from  interfering  with  other  and  older  committees. 
Obviously,  no  harm  is  to  be  apprehended  from  multiplying 
indefinitely  the  number  of  such  organizations,  for  they 
pre-suppose  in  every  case  a  group  of  christian  women, 
interested  spontaneously  in  some  particular  enterprise, 
which  they  undertake  to  carry  out  in  such  a  way  as  to 
refrain  from  any  possible  clashing  with  the  other  enterprises 
which  are  already  in  operation. 

It  should  also  be  noticed  that  the  whole  work  represented 
by  this  society  is  under  the  immediate  supervision  of  the 
Church  Session,  as  its  Constitution  provides;  and  that 
nothing  of  importance  has  ever  been  undertaken  in  con- 
nection with  it  until  after  full  consultation  with  the  pastor. 
The  name  of  the  Society  was  indeed  chosen  by  the  Ladies 


IX  GERMAXTOWN.  45 

present  at  the  organization,  expressly  to  indicate  their 
intentions  in  this  matter. 

The  system  itself  was  so  arranged  that  it  might,  if 
possible,  continue  in  operation  without  needing  any  essen- 
tial change:  adapting  itself  to  any  future  emergency  which 
might  arise.  It  is  inherently  flexible  enough  to  admit 
of  every  single  committee  being  discontinued,  one  after 
another,  if  any  necessity  of  that  kind  may  be  imagined, 
and  wholly  new  forms  of  work  taken  up;  while  meantime 
the  Society  itself  still  binds  together  whatever  committees 
do  exist.  A  copy  of  the  "Constitution  and  By-Laws," 
as  given  in  the  Annual  Report  for  1879,  "^^i^l  ^^  found  in 
the  Appendix  to  this  volume;  it  will  be  seen  that  simplicity 
and  brevity  have  been  sought  in  preparing  them. 

A  sketch  of  the  various  Standing  Committees  and  their 
work  will  now  be  given.  It  may  be  well  to  prefix  the 
remark,  that  the  present  number  of  Committees  has  been 
attained  only  by  degrees,  in  the  course  of  several  years ; 
the  Society  began  with  comparatively  few  of  them,  and 
would  have  been  well  worth  organizing  even  for  its  benefit 
to  these,  and  apart  from  any   idea  of  forming  new   ones. 

The  Standing  Committee  os  Domestic  Missions 

has  continued  the  work  of  the  Domestic  Missionary 
Society,  which  was  founded  in  1852,  for  the  purpose  of 
sending  relief  to  needy  missionaries  under  the  care  of  the 
Presbyterian  Board.  The  aggregate  value  of  the  boxes 
sent  by  it  up  to  1870,  was  about  ^10,000.  In  order  to 
promote  the  efficiency  of  church  work,  it  connected  itself 
with  the  Pastoral  Aid  Society,  on  May  4th,  1870: 
retaining  the  same  President,  Secretary  and  Treasurer, 
and  the  same  membership  as  before.  In  the  last  ten  years, 
boxes  valued  at  $6,000,  have  been  prepared  and  sent  out. 
The  venerable  servants  of  God  who  began  this  work,  have 


4-6  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN'  CHURCH 

shown  unfailing  interest  and  devotion  for  these  twenty- 
seven  years,  gathering  up  $16,000  worth  of  supylies, 
carefully  chosen  and  adapted  to  the  special  needs  of  each 
case.  Their  correspondence  with  the  Home  Missionaries 
receiving  these  boxes,  has  sometimes  continued  for  years 
afterward ;  and  a  relation  of  permanent  friendliness  and 
interest  on  both  sides,  has  frequently  resulted. 

A  glance  over  any  of  the  letters,  taken  at  random  from 
the  large  collection  which  remains  in  possession  of  the 
Committee,  will  satisfy  any  one  of  the  great  good  which 
has  been  done  by  this  work.  In  fact,  this  is  so  very 
obvious,  that  there  is  little  room  for  giving  any  expla- 
nations concerning  a  form  of  .Christian  effort  to  be  found 
among  so  many  of  our  churches. 

The  Committee  is  in  the  habit  of  securing  the  names  of 
several  Missionaries  from  the  Board,  or  from  other  sources, 
and  selecting  those  which  appear  most  desirable  for  corres- 
pondence and  help.  Request  is  then  made,  through  a 
notice  from  the  pulpit,  for  suitable  gifts  in  material  or  in 
money ;  whatever  sewing  may  be  needful,  being  done  by 
the  individual  givers  at  their  own  convenience.  When 
the-  Committee  next  meets,  it  is  to  receive  and  pack  these 
articles,  always  with  special  united  prayer  to  God,  for  His 
lessing  upon  givers  and  receivers  alike.  On  these  occasions, 
which  are  always  attended  with  much  that  is  interesting, 
the  presence  of  any  fellow-members  of  the  church  is  very 
welcome. 

The  Standing  Committee  on  Foreign  Missions 

began  operations  with  the  first  business  meeting  of  the 
Pastoral  Aid  Society,  May  4th,  1870.  During  the  year 
preceding  this,  some  of  the  ladies  had  begun  to  make 
collections  for  the  Woman's  Union  Mission  Society; 
which  was  of  course  done  with  the  understanding  that  this 


IN  GERMANTOWN.  47 

should  not  interfere  with  the  usual  contribution  to  Foreign 
Missions  by  the  congregation  at  large.  But  it  was  felt 
that  the  time  had  come  for  enlarging  the  Woman's  Work, 
if  possible ;  and  at  the  meeting  above  mentioned,  this 
committee  was  appointed,  with  the  intention  of  having  it 
take  into  consideration  the  whole  subject.  Its  more 
immediate  object  was,  to  represent  this  church  at  a 
convention  held  the  same  month  in  Philadelphia,  pre- 
liminary to  the  organization  of  the  Woman's  Foreign 
Mission  Society  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  That 
organization  did  not  take  place  for  several  months, 
however ;  and  meantime  the  ladies  in  this  church  had 
become  still  more  deeply  interested  than  before,  in  the 
Woman's  Union  Foreign  Mission  Society,  and  had  agreed 
to  contribute  to  it  for  the  next  five  years,  through  the 
Germantown  Auxiliary,  which  had  been  formed  January 
19,  1869.  This  pledge  was  fulfilled  by  contributions  for 
the  support  of  Miss  Hook  in  India.  No  further  pledge 
was  given,  at  the  expiration  of  that  time ;  but  gifts  for  this 
society  have  been  received  and  sent  to  it  yearly,  and  it  is 
hoped  that  this  will  continue  to  be  the  case.  It  is  to  the 
Union  Society  that  we  as  a  church  owe  the  first  quickening 
of  interest  in  this  great  branch  of  Woman's  work  ;  it  was 
through  its  success,  achieved  under  all  the  difficulties 
which  attend  pioneer  work,  that  the  other  and  more 
strictly  denominational  societies  were  encouraged .  to 
organize  ;  and  the  knowledge  of  its  effectiveness  on  the 
Foreign  field,  combines  with  our  sense  of  gratitude  for  its 
past  services,  and  reverence  for  the  memory  of  its  sainted 
founder,  Mrs.  Doremus,  to  secure  from  us  the  continuance 
of  hearty  interest  and  good  will.  Contributions  are 
received  for  this  object,  either  through  the  usual  collectors 
or  through  the  Treasurer  of  the  Committee.  The  amount 
of  such  contributions,  up  to  the  first  of  April,  1879,  ^^ 
$1,019.95. 


48  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

The  greater  part  of  our  work,  however,  has  been  carried 
on  through  the  Woman's  Foreign  Mission  Society  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church.  As  already  stated,  this  committee 
took  part  in  the  movements  connected  with  the  formation 
of  that  society ;  but  did  not  complete  the  relation  thus 
begun  until  1872.  In  November  of  that  year,  a  meeting 
was  held  in  the  Lecture-room,  to  receive  statements  in 
regard  to  the  work  carried  on  by  the  women  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  heathen  lands.  So  much  interest 
was  felt  in  the  addresses  made  on  behalf  of  that  society, 
and  especially  in  the  facts  with  regard  to  Japan,  that  a 
second  meeting  was  at  once  held,  and  after  conference 
with  the  other  ladies  in  the  church,  this  Committee 
undertook  the  duties  of  an  Auxiliary  to  the  Presbyterian 
Society,  and  the  responsibility  of  furnishing  the  entire 
support  for  a  missionary  in  Japan.  It  was  proposed  that 
Miss  Gamble,  who  had  spent  some  years  with  her  brother 
in  China,  where  he  was  connected  with  the  mission  work 
of  our  Board,  should  become  our  representative  at  Tokio. 
She  consented  so  to  do,  and  preparations  for  her  outfit 
were  at  once  begun. 

Delays  occurred,  however,  which  prevented  her  leaving 
this  country  for  nearly  a  year.  Meantime  the  ladies 
secured  from  her  as  many  visits  as  possible,  in  order  to 
make  the  new  relation  more  full  of  personal  acquaintance 
and  sympathy :  she  became,  at  her  own  suggestion,  a 
member  of  this  church,  and  by  the  time  of  her  departure 
had  been  made  to  feel  very  much  at  home  in  it.  A 
farewell  meeting  was  held  on  Wednesday  evening,  October 
15,  1873,  ^^d  the  next  day  Miss  Gamble  left  for  Japan, 
where  she  arrived  safely  on  the  30th  of  November.  From 
this  time  the  contributions  were  materially  increased.  In 
1870,  the  amount  of  our  contribution  for  the  Union 
Society  was  $75;   in  1871,  it  was  $120;  and  in  1872,  it 


IN  GERMANTOWN.  49 

• 
was  $202.     In  1873,  besides  sending  I175  to  that  cause, 

$600   were   given    for    Miss   Gamble's   outfit,    and    $125 

towards  securing  for  the  school  in  Tokio,  (to  which  place 

she  went)  a  cabinet  organ.     In  the  course  of  the  following 

year,  her  work  was  interrupted,  in  part  by  ill  health,  and  a 

few  months  later  her  connection  with  us  was  terminated 

by  her  departure  to  China,  where  her  relations  have  since 

that  time  been  with  another  denomination. 

Another  lady,  the  wife  of  Rev.  W.  M.  K.  Imbrie,  was 
suggested  in  her  place,  but  she  felt  herself  obliged  to 
decline,  on  the  ground  that  for  the  time  she  was  not  able 
to  undertake  anything  beyond  her  home  duties.  Even 
before  her  letter  reached  us,  the  Board  of  Missions  had 
taken  action  which  would  in  any  case  have  interfered  with 
this  arrangement,  by  assigning  the  field  of  Tokio,  where 
Mrs.  Imbrie  resides,  to  the  New  York  Society,  and  that 
of  Yokohama  to  our  Philadelphia  Society.  This  change 
involved  a  re-adjustment  of  our  plans,  which  occupied 
some  time.  In  November,  1876,  however,  arrangements 
were  completed  by  which  Mrs.  John  Ballagh  became  our 
missionary  after  January  ist  of  the  following  year.  Since 
that  time,  a  fresh  impulse  has  been  given  to  the  work  in 
all  directions,  by  the  helpful  and  quickening  influence 
which  comes  from  intercourse  with  this  faithful  and  devoted 
servant  of  God. 

It  is  well  to  notice,  that  during  the  four  years  which 
immediately  followed  our  entrance  upor>  this  work,  we 
were  carrying  it  on  as  matter  of  principle,  without  depen- 
dence upon  the  stimulus  of  regular  correspondence  with  a 
missionary;  for  until  we  knew  Mrs.  Ballagh,  there  was  but 
a  very  brief  time  during  which  any  letter  at  all  came  to  us 
from  the  foreign  field. 

The  lack  of  this  stimulus  was  indeed  felt ;  and  especially 
by   those   contributors   to   whom    the   Woman's   Foreign 


50  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 


» 


Work  was  entirely  a  new  one.  But  there  was  always 
enough  of  interest  in  the  work  for  its  own  sake,  and  apart 
from  all  craving  for  the  sight  o(  immediate  results,  to 
secure  its  continuance  without  any  deficiency. 

The  contributions  which  have  been  made  through  this 
committee,  as  an  auxiliary  of  the  Presbyterian  Society, 
amounted,  on  the  1st  of  April,  1879,  *o  $3980.95  :  adding 
to  this  the  $1019.95  given  to  the  Union  Society,  a  total  is 
produced  of  ^5000  secured  for  Foreign  Mission  Work 
through  this  organization  up  to  that  time.  This  includes 
the  cost  of  a  cabinet  organ  sent  for  Mrs.  Ballagh's  school 
in  1879. 

At  the  beginning,  some  fears  were  expressed  that  these 
gifts  would  interfere  with  the  annual  contribution  from  the 
congregation  at  large  to  the  Mission  Board,  but  the  result 
has  been  of  a  very  different  kind ;  a  wider  and  deeper 
interest  in  the  whole  work  of  missions  has  been  secured, 
so  that,  beside  other  good  results,  the  annual  collection 
(which  does  not  include  any  of  the  sums  above  referred  to) 
has  risen  from  $462  in  1870,  to  more  than  $1000  in  1879  • 
(^890  being  sent  to  the  Board,  and  the  remainder  to  the 
Mexican  Mission.) 

At  this  point,  some  words  as  to  the  organization  of  the 
Committee  will  be  in  place.  Its  membership  is  divided 
into  two  classes,  Contributing  and  Active.  The  contri- 
buting members  include  all  the  ladies  who  give  regularly 
to  the  support  of  the  work  and  are  members  of  the  church. 
The  Active  members  are  those  who  are  entrusted  with  the 
the  management  of  the  work  itself.  The  members  of  this 
latter  class  were  chosen  at  first  by  the  pastor,  in  conference 
with  the  Pastoral  Aid  officers  j  the  object  being  to  secure 
persons  specially  interested  in  missions,  and  willing  to 
give  the  required  time  and  trouble.  Their  numbers  are 
maintained   since  then,  by  having  the   Committee  itself 


IN  GERMANTOWX.  5  I 

nominate  and  elect  new  members  from  time  to  time, 
subject  to  revision  by  the  contributors.  A  report  of  all 
such  proceedings  is  provided  for  :  it  is  to  be  made  to  the 
contributing  members  each  year,  at  the  annual  meeting  of 
the  Pastoral  Aid  Society,  where  they  are  expected  to  be 
present.  It  is  also  understood  that  during  the  year,  in 
case  the  Committee  is  contemplating  any  unusual  action, 
of  such  importance  as  to  make  proper  a  conference  with  the 
contributors,  report  of  the  same  can  be  made  at  any  Pastoral 
Aid  meeting,  and  a  vote  taken  thereon.  Practically, 
therefore,  so  far  as  the  business  meetings  are  concerned, 
the  Committee  consists  of  these  "Active  members." 
They  elect  annually  a  President,  Secretary,  and  Treasurer. 

These  officers  represent  the  Committee  in  its  intercourse 
with  various  external  bodies,  such  as  the  Woman's  Union 
Society,  the  Presbyterian  Society,  and  that  branch  of  the 
same  which  is  composed  of  the  churches  in  this  particular 
Presbytery.  The  meetings  for  transaction  of  business  are 
held  monthly,  during  most  of  the  year.  Arrangements 
are  made  for  having  collectors,  who  call  upon  the  regular 
contributors  at  stated  intervals,  and  deliver  the  sums  which 
are  given  them,  together  with  the  names  of  the  persons 
contributing,  to  the  Treasurer. 

That  officer  reports  at  each  regular  meeting,  so  that  the 
committee  may  be  fully  acquainted  with  the  condition  of 
the  Treasury,  and  may  from  time  to  time  secure  new 
subscribers  to  the  list.  The  Secretary  preserves  a  copy 
of  this  roll  of  contributors  and  amounts,  with  the  names 
of  collectors,  etc.  Another  part  of  her  duties,  in  addi- 
tion to  the  keeping  of  minutes,  etc.,  is  the  copying  of 
letters  from  our  missionary  into  a  suitable  book,  that  they 
may  be  kept  for  reference.  Many  such  letters  have  been 
received  by  different  members  which  contain  matter  of 
permanent  interest,  and  meant  for  the  information  of  all, 


52  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

but  which,  after  being  once  handed  around  for  perusal,  are 
practically  inaccessible,  unless  secured  on  record  in  this 
way.  It  is  understood,  of  course,  that  any  thing  which  is 
intended  by  Mrs.  Ballagh  solely  for  the  particular  person 
to  whom  a  letter  is  addressed,  shall  be  omitted  from  the 
copy.  All  this  correspondence  is  in  addition  to  that 
which  is  carried  on  officially  by  the  Secretary ;  and  in  this 
fact  is  seen  one  of  the  many  tokens  which  evidence  Mrs. 
Ballagh's  overflowing  zeal  for  the  work,  and  her  readiness 
to  stimulate  the  zeal  of  others. 

One  result  of  the  increased  interest  which  has  been 
awakened  by  her  influence,  is  the  formation  of  several 
additional  Mission  Bands.  These  are  under  the  general 
supervision  of  this  Committee,  which  receives  their  reports 
and  gives  them  all  possible  aid  and  encouragement. 

The  first  in  order  of  formation,  is  that  called  "Willing 
Workers  for  Jesus,"  organized  in  1876,  by  some  of  the 
younger  girls.  They  sent  a  box  of  materials  for  fancy 
work  to  Mrs.  Hepburn's  school,  where  such  gifts  were 
very  serviceable  for  their  effect  in  interesting  the  scholars. 
In  the  fall  of  1877,  they  sent  a  supply  of  hymn  books  for 
Mrs.  Ballagh's  school,  and  in  the  winter  a  box  of  sewing 
materials  valued  at  ^82. 

The  Band  was  able  to  interest  the  Infant  School  of 
the  church,  and  also  the  Pulaskiville  Sunday  School,  in 
preparing  this  box,  so  that  many  a  little  offering  was 
brought  with  eager  interest  by  children  whose  earthly 
possessions  were  meagre  enough.  The  Band  has  given 
more  than  $140  in  cash  for  the  support  of  children  at 
school  in  Japan,  and  still  another  box,  more  valuable  than 
any  preceding  one,  was  sent  in  October,  1S79. 

It  holds  monthly  meetings,  at  which  various  items  of 
missionary  news  are  read  by  different  members,  and  also 
letters  from  some  of  the  scholars  abroad  with  whom  a 


IN  GERMANTOWN.  53 

correspondence  is  maintained.  In  December,  187S,  it 
held  a  very  interesting  meeting  for  young  people,  at  which 
a  large  audience  gathered  to  hear  Mr.  Ono,  a  Japanese 
gentleman,  and  to  examine  the  many  curiosities  which 
have  been  sent  from  time  to  time  by  Mrs.  Ballagh  and 
other  friends. 

Four  other  Bands  have  been  formed,  by  as  many 
different  classes  in  our  Sunday  Schools ;  namely,  those 
taught  by  Mrs.  S.  M.  Justice,  at  Somerville,  and  by  Mrs. 
M.  D.  Westcott  in  the  Home  School,  the  Home  Infant 
School,  and  one  at  Pulaskiville.  The  "  S.  M.  Justice" 
Band  has  shown  much  of  self-denying  devotion  to  the 
cause;  the  "Crusaders,"  formed  by  boys  under  Mrs. 
Westcott's  care,  entered  at  once  into  correspondence  with 
some  Japanese  boys  in  Mr.  Ballagh 's  school,  whose  letters 
have  proved  uncommonly  interesting ;  and  in  various 
other  ways  good  results  have  been  secured  through  these 
and  the  other  Bands. 

The  largest  of  these  Bands,  however,  is  that  called  the 
"Watchers,"  which  was  organized  January  20th,  1870,  for 
young  ladies  over  sixteen  years  of  age.  There  are  now 
forty-five  names  on  the  roll,  and  very  unusual  interest  has 
been  shown  in  its  operations  by  the  members  and  their 
friends.  Every  month  a  meeting  is  held,  at  which  there  is 
great  variety  and  animation  in  the  exercises.  Carefully 
written  articles  are  brought  in  and  read  by  those  to  whom 
they  had  been  assigned ;  the  subject  being  often  some 
particular  aspect  of  the  mission  field  for  the  month,  such  as 
the  history  of  the  nation,  its  geographical  and  commercial 
relations,  the  progress  of  Christianity,  the  nature,  history 
or  present  condition  of  its  heathen  religion,  etc.  At  other 
times  more  general  subjects  have  been  taken.  Both  in 
this  and  in  every  other  feature  of  the  Band  work,  most 
encouraging  results  have  been  secured   by  the  watchful 


54  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

interest  of  the  Leader,  who  first  makes  herself  familiar 
with  it  all,  and  then  is  able  to  give  any  needful  guidance 
to  the  members,  without  in  any  way  doing  their  work  for 
them.  The  effort  is  to  enlist  as  many  different  persons  as 
possible,  and  make  use  of  whatever  peculiar  talent  each 
may  have.  Much  interest  was  shown  during  the  first  year 
in  preparing  large  maps  of  the  various  mission-fields,  each 
of  them  drawn  on  muslin  with  neatness  and  accuracy. 
These  were  soon  brought  into  use  in  the  church  mission 
meetings  and  elsewhere,  besides  rendering  great  assistance 
to  the  Band. 

Some  of  the  members  are  especially  charged  with  caring 
for  the  music  at  these  meetings,  including  not  only  the 
usual  hymns,  but  anything  else  that  may  be  appropriate 
and  feasible.  Others  bring  in  various  brief  items  illus- 
trating heathen  life  or  mission  work,  taken  from  any  book 
or  paper  with  which  they  have  met  since  the  last  meeting. 
Still  others  help  to  prepare  suitable  Bible-readings.  In  all 
these  ways,  and  by  recitations,  etc.,  something  is  found  for 
every  willing  hand  to  do.  Those  who  do  not  care  to 
undertake  a  composition  of  their  own,  will  act  as  copyists 
for  others.  A  "Mission  Band  Post-office"  is  also  in 
successful  operation,  so  that  any  who  would  not  otherwise 
make  remarks  or  suggestions,  or  even  inquiries,  may  write 
anything  of  the  kind  and  have  it  read  by  the  Leader,  who, 
of  course,  does  not  give  the  writer's  name. 

It  will  be  seen,  therefore,  that  one  great  object  of  the 
Band  is  to  train  all  its  members  into  the  habit  of  reading 
for  themselves  the  great  facts  connected  with  Foreign 
Missions.  It  is  believed  th'at  in  any  church  there  may  be 
many  persons  who  will  drop  money  into  a  collection  plate, 
where  there  are  comparatively  few  who  give,  in  addition  to 
this,  an  intelligent  sympathy  and  earnest  prayerfulness. 
Such  training  as  this  which  is  here  attempted,  will  not  only 


IN  GERMANTOWN.  55 

tend  to  secure  money,  but  to  produce  new  missionaries, 
and  to  fill  those  who  remain  at  home  with  the  true  mission 
spirit. 

The  Band  is  not  meant,  however,  to  neglect  those 
contributions  to  the  mission  treasury  which  are  always  so 
welcome.  Arrangements  are  made  for  enabling  any  who 
wish  so  to  do,  to  earn  money  of  their  own  for  this  purpose, 
by  copying,  or  by  doing  fancy  work  and  sewing  for  ladies 
who  require  it.  Orders  are  sent  through  the  Band  officers. 
This  may  open  the  way  for  very  pleasant  sewing  meetings. 

A  prayer-meeting  is  held  every  month  by  the  Band, 
to  which  only  those  are  invited  who  are  willing  to  take 
part  themselves  in  its  exercises,  so  that  there  may  be  no 
spirit  of  criticism,  but  only  that  of  mutual  sympathy  and 
help.     These  services  have  been  of  great  benefit. 

The  Standing  Committee  on  Bible  Readers  Work. 

This  continues  the  work  of  the  Bible  Reader's  Associ- 
ation, which  was  formed  in  the  Spring  of  iS68,  and 
connected  itself  with  the  Pastoral  Aid  Society  on  the  4tli 
of  May,  1870.  The  Mother's  Meeting  was  originated  by 
t"his  Committee.  Mrs.  Baldwin  acted  as  Bible  Reader 
from  March  to  November  1868;  Mrs.  Sarah  McNeill,  from 
January  1869  to  April  1873,  ^^'^'^  from  Dec.  1874  to  Nov. 
1878;  Miss  Mary  A.  Williams  holding  the  position  during 
the  period  when  Mrs.  McNeill  was  matron  of  the  Woman's 
Christian  Association,  from  Nov.  1873  to  Dec.  1874.  Miss 
E.  A.  Hawley  held  the  position  from  February  to 
December,  1879,  ^.nd  Mrs.  C.  D.  Scott  is  the  present 
incumbent.  There  has  therefore  been  very  little  inter- 
ruption to  this  work  since  it  began. 

Relief  to  bodily  need  was  at  first  included  among  its 
objects,  but  experience  has  led  to  the  separation  of  this 
from  the  other  part  of  the  work.     Cases  for  relief  are  now 


56  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

reported  by  the  Bible  Reader  to  another  Committee,  while 
her  own  work  is  kept  distinct  from  alms-giving.  Each  of 
the  ladies  named  above,  has  taken  the  position  in  the  true 
mission  spirit,  accepting  only  salary  enough  to  supplement 
other  means  of  support.  Four  afternoons  a  week  are 
usually  spent  in  visiting.  The  methods  used  are  various, 
of  course :  they  include  the  reading  of  the  Bible  itself, 
religious  conversation,  especially  concerning  the  benefits 
of  Christianity  in  the  temptations  and  trials  of  daily  life, 
with  the  reading  and  distribution  of  tracts  and  religious 
papers,  etc.  The  Bible  Reader  goes  as  a  Christian  woman 
to  do  that  kind  of  good,  which  only  woman  can  with 
eifectiveness  do.  She  visits  among  the  families  in  the 
congregation,  not  merely  in  cases  of  sickness  and  poverty, 
but  wherever  as  a  Christian  friend  she  has  access.  There 
are  on  the  outskirts  of  the  congregation,  many  scores  of 
families  who  look  to  this  church  for  religious  influence 
more  than  to  any  other,  although  not  in  any  regular 
connection  even  here :  the  children  being  usually  in 
attendance  upon  one  of  our  Sunday-Schools.  Among  all 
these  she  visits,  and  also  among  those  who  are  outside 
of  all  the  churches.  In  case  they  most  naturally  belong  to 
some  other  church,  their  attention  is  turned  toward  it,  and 
every  precaution  is  taken  against  even  the  appearance 
of  proselytism. 

The  work  among  these  families  who  are  beyond  all 
church  influences,  was  at  first  the  only  object  in  view:  but 
in  the  course  of  time,  so  many  of  them  came  into  the 
congregation,  while  still  needing  these  ministrations  of  the 
Bible  Reader,  that  much  of  her  effort  is  now  turned  in  this 
direction.  In  some  years  a  thousand  visits  would  be 
made,  in  others,  not  more  than  half  that  number, 
according  to  circumstances.  But  enough  is  always  done 
to  render  this  one  of  our  most  valuable  agencies. 


IN  GERMANTOWN.  57 

The  Standing  Committee  on  Motheks'  Meetings. 

The  Bible-reader  found  Mothers  closely  kept  at  home, 
with  little  social  pleasure  and  less  spiritual  opportunities. 

They  were  invited  to  meet  once  a  week,  and  spend  an 
afternoon  or  evening  together  sewing,  while  one  of  the 
committee  read  from  some  interesting  story,  closing  with 
devotional  exercises ;  every  opportunity  being  used  for 
informal  conversation  on  spiritual  things,  especially  on 
household  Christianity. 

The  sewing  itself  was  also  helpful.  At  first  the  material 
worked  upon,  was  sold  them  at  cost,  payable  in  weekly 
instalments ;  more  lately  the  work  of  sewing,  was  itself 
accepted  as  payment,  at  the  rate  of  twenty-five  cents  for 
each  two  hours'  meeting. 

A  feAv  kinds  of  groceries  are  furnished,  if  preferred,  in- 
stead of  the  material  sewed  upon,  also  at  cost  (wholesale). 

The  Standing  Committee  on  Dorcas  Work. 

This  was  originally  a  Sewing  Society,  meeting  at  the 
church  every  Friday  morning,  to  sew  for  the  poor, 
especially  for  the  children  of  the  mission  schools,  and  the 
cases  reported  by  the  Bible-reader. 

For  some  years  past,  the  members  have  only  met 
together  for  arranging  the'  distribution  ;  all  the  sewing 
being  done  at  home.  Garments  are  now  bought  already 
made,  or  material  is  bought  and  distributed  to  be  made 
up,  and  then  given  away. 

The  Standing  Committee  on  Relief  of  the  Poor. 

This  committee  was  organized  by  desire  of  the  Pastor 
and  Elders,  Avho  felt  that  this  important  department  of 
church  work  would  be  well  cared  for  by  the  christian 
women,  who  already  were  doing  so  efficiently  other  work 
of  the  same  kind. 


58  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

The  membership  of  the  committee  is  always  small,  and 
any  changes  in  it  are  made  after  special  conference  with 
the  Pastor.  Experience  has  fully  justified  the  expectations 
with  which  it  was  organized ;  the  work  has  been  performed 
with  discreetness,  and  at  the.  same  time  with  warm 
sympathy  and  entire  faithfulness.  The  fund  is  contributed 
by  the  congregation  every  Communion  Day,  in  ample 
amount. 

The  Standing  Committee  on  Tracts. 

A  committee,  small  in  numbers,  and  of  approved 
judgment,  has  it  in  charge  to  select  Tracts  for  the  Bible- 
reader's  use,  and  also  for  the  Visiting  Committees,  who 
carry  around  a  fresh  tract  to  all  our  families  at  each  visit. 
The  cost  is  paid  by  imposing  a  fine  of  ten  cents  on  each 
member  of  the  Pastoral  Aid  Society,  who  is  absent  from 
any  of  its  meetings,  and  giving  the  sum  thus  raised  to  this 
committee. 

The  Standing  Committee  on  the  Pulaskiville  Sunday 
School. 

This  mission  school,  and  also  that  at  Somerville,  are 
included  among  the  work  of  the  Pastoral  Aid  Society, 
because  each  of  them  was  founded  by  ladies  belonging  to 
the  Society,  and  the  money  for  defraying  current  expenses 
has  usually  been  collected  by  them. 

Of  course,  the  schools  are  organized  as  usual,  each  under 
a  superintendent  and  officers  of  its  own,  annually  chosen 
by  the  teachers;  this  election,  and  all  the  proceedings  in 
the  schools,  being  always  subject  to  the  revision  and 
control  of  the  Church  Session.  Yet  the  connection  of  the 
schools  with  the  Pastoral  Aid  Society  is  still  maintained 
through  the  committees ;  they  make  known  in  this  way 
any  need  which  can  be   supplied  by  the  women  of  the 


IN  GERMAXTOWN.  59 

church,  and  especially  make  it  their  business,  as  above 
stated,  to  collect  the  money  for  ordinary  expenses. 

It  was  in  the  same  way  that  a  great  part  of  the  money 
necessary  for  erecting  the  school  buildings  was  collected. 

At  Pulaskiville  there  was  evidently  need  of  such  a  work 
as  this.  The  district  known  by  that  name  is  indeed  small 
in  size,  measuring  less  than  two  squares  in  each  direction, 
but  it  is  estimated  to  contain  some  eight  hundred  souls. 
And  although  the  place  is  within  a  half  mile  of  several 
churches,  its  inhabitants  greatly  needed  to  have  the  gospel 
brought  to  their  own  doors. 

The  neighborhood  was  but  recently  settled,  when  its 
necessities  were  brought  home  in  various  ways  to  two 
different  ladies  of  this  church,  Mrs.  Jonathan  Graham  and 
Miss  Mary  Mansfield  ;  they  conferred  together,  and  on 
September  26,  1870,  canvassed  Pulaskiville  for  scholars. 
Pledges  were  given  of  the  attendance  of  forty-eight  children, 
and  two  rooms  in  a  private  house  were  offered  for  use  by 
the  proposed  school.  Mr.  Isaac  C.  Jones,  Jr.,  agreed  to  act 
as  Superintendent,  and  other  church  families  in  the  part  of 
Germantown  nearest  Pulaskiville  became  active  in  the 
work.  The  ladies  among  them  were  formally  organized 
as  a  Standing  Committee,  by  the  Pastoral  Aid  Society,  on 
the  5th  of  October.  October  9th,  the  Sunday-school  met 
for  the  first  time,  with  forty-eight  scholars  and  eight 
teachers.  The  two  rooms  were  only  twelve  feet  square, 
and  as  no  others  were  procurable,  the  need  of  a  new 
building  was  felt  at  once.  The  appeal  for  contributions 
came  at  the  very  time  when  the  church  was  just  undertaking 
the  heavy  responsibility  of  erecting  a  new  edifice  for  its 
own  use,  but  it  was  felt  that  the  mission  work  would  be  a 
help  and  not  a  hindrance  to  the  church,  and  the  amount 
asked  for  was  cheerfully  given.  There  was  great  need  of 
haste,  for  the  rooms  used,  meantime,  were  too  small  to 


6o  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

allow  the  use  of  a  stove,  in  the  cold  days  of  November ; 
and  on  Saturday,  December  9th,  the  new  chapel  was 
dedicated.  On  the  next  day  it  was  occupied  by  the 
school. 

At  the  Ninth  Anniversary,  in  October,  1879,  there  were 
18  teachers  and  160  scholars  on  the  roll.  Of  this  number, 
there  were  36  scholars  who  had  been  present  every  Sabbath 
during  the  year ;  9  of  them  having  been  present  for  two 
years,  and  1 1  for  three  years,  without  a  single  interruption. 
Such  evidences  of  faithfulness,  and  permanent  interest  in 
the  school,  are  steadily  increasing  from  year  to  year. 

The  Standing  Committee  on  Parish  School. 

This  work  was  organized  to  meet  a  need  which  existed 
for  several  years  in  the  Pulaskiville  district.  It  was  so 
crowded  with  children,  that  for  a  long  time  no  room  was 
found  for  them  in  the  public  schools  of  the  vicinity,  and 
they  were  growing  up  largely  destitute  of  instruction. 
From  1 87 1  until  1875,  therefore,  a  daily  Parish  School 
was  held  by  the  ladies  of  this  Committee,  in  the  Sunday- 
school  chapel  at  Pulaskiville.  For  most  of  this  time  it  was 
taught  by  Miss  Dalzell,  a  member  of  one  of  our  sister 
churches,  and  one  who  showed  herself  uncommonly  devoted 
and  efficient. 

A  sewing-school  was  also  held  on  Friday  afternoons,  by 
five  of  the  ladies  who  were  able  to  give  personal  attendance. 
The  roll  of  daily  attendants  at  first  contained  the  names 
of  30  children,  but  the  number  was  afterward  more  than 
doubled.  The  teacher's  salary,  and  other  expenses,  were 
provided  by  distributing  the  amount  among  the  twenty 
members  of  the  Committee,  each  of  whom  then  secured 
the  requisite  subscriptions  by  personal  effort.  Arrangements 
were  also  made  to  have  a  sub-committee  of  two  ladies  act 
as  visiting-committee  for  the  week,  all  the  members  taking 


IN  GERMANTOWN.  6 1 

this  charge  in  turn.  The  teaching  was  given  in  the  true 
spirit  of  the  christian  Home  Missionary,  and  only  a  small 
salary  was  accepted.  After  some  three  years  Miss  Dalzell 
was  obliged  to  resign  the  work  from  ill-health,  to  the  great 
regret  of  all  connected  with  it.  The  place  was  not  an  easy 
one  to  fill,  and  several  changes  were  made  during  the  fol- 
lowing year.  At  the  end  of  this  time,  as  new_  public 
schools  had  been  erected,  and  the  most  pressing  need  of 
this  work  no  longer  existed,  it  was  discontinued.  While 
it  was  carried  on,  the  usefulness  of  it  was  most  manifest  y 
daily  religious  instruction  was  given,  and  the  influence  of 
the  Sunday-school  was  carried  into  every  day  in  the  week. 
It  may  be  well  to  add  that  a  nominal  charge  of  five 
cents  weekly,  was  made  for  each  scholar,  with  good  effects 
upon  children  and  parents. 


The  Standing  Committee   on  Cottage  Meetings. 

In  the  spring  and  summer  of  1S74,  a  kw  ladies  of  the 
Society  found  their  way  open  to  hold  meetings  on  Thursday 
afternoons  at  Pulaskiville,  going  from  house  to  house  in 
turn.  The  good  accomplished  was  unmistakable,  but  the 
oppressive  heat  finally  stopped  the  work  for  that  season, 
and  the  pressure  of  other  duties  prevented  their  being 
resumed  in  the  fall.  Other  meetings,  however,  with 
similar  aims,  have  supplied  their  place  in  good  measure, 
from  time  to  time.  The  very  brevity  of  this  record 
illustrates  the  elasticity  of  the  Society's  plan.  Even  the 
smallest  group  of  members  can  have  its  work  recognized 
and  included  within  the  regular  operations  of  the  Church, 
so  as  to  receive  the  sympathy  and  support  of  the  whole 
body,  while  there  is  the  most  entire  freedom  for  individual 
action. 


62  first  presbyterian  church 

The  Standing  Committee  on  Somerville  Sunday- 
School 

This  School  is  connected  with  the  Society  in  much  the 
same  way  as  that  at  Pulaskiville.  One  of  the  ladies  who 
founded  that  school,  had  in  1874,  removed  to  the  eastern 
part  of  Germantown,  and  found  still  further  east,  at  the 
Township  line,  and  beyond  it,  a  district  composed  of  out- 
lying settlements,  several  of  which  were  quite  distant  from 
any  church  whatever.  A  large  part  of  the  inhabitants 
were  losing  any  habits  of  church-going  which  they  may 
formerly  have  had,  and  the  need  of  mission  work  was 
palpable.  The  field  was  canvassed  for  scholars  by  this 
lady,  Mrs.  Jonathan  Graham,  August  17,  1874,  and 
twenty-seven  names  were  secured.  The  refusal  of  a  new 
Hall,  which  was  to  be  erected  in  Somerville,  had  already 
been  secured  by  Mr.  Graham  for  the  Sunday-School, 
should  one  be  organized.  Efforts  were  then  made  to 
secure  other  helpers  in  the  work,  and  on  Sept.  8th,  a 
conference  was  held  with  Mr.  Geo.  Wiggan  as  to  his 
undertaking  the  superintendency.  This  gentleman  was  in 
the  immediate  neighborhood,  and  had  formerly  been  for 
some  time  a  pew-holder  in  our  church,  so  that  although 
now  a  member  of  the  Second  Church,  he  was  well  known 
among  us,  and  none  the  less  welcome  because  he  repre- 
sented the  fraternal  interest  of  that  congregation  in  our 
work. 

On  September  14th,  a  report  of  all  this  was  made  to  our 
Session,  at  its  first  meeting  after  the  summer  vacation, 
with  the  information  that  action  had  been  taken  thus  far, 
on  the  assumption  of  Sessional  approval :  and  application 
was  made  to  have  their  enterprise  recognized  as  a  work  of 
this  church,  under  the  formal  charge  of  its  Pastor  and 
Elders.  This  application  would  have  been  made  earlier,  but 
for  the  absence  of  several  members  of  Session  from  town 


IN  GERMANTOWN.  63 

during  the  summer.  As  it  was,  the  proposal  received,  of 
course,  the  ready  saiction  which  it  sought;  the  new  oppor- 
tunity for  work  was  thankfully  welcomed,  and  by  formal 
vote  of  Session,  was  recognized  as  regularly  under  its  care, 
with  the  promise  of  all  possible  help  from  the  congregation 
at  large.  In  the  course  of  the  following  season,  there  was 
a  movement  looking  toward  the  establishment  of  a  new 
Presbyterian  Church  between  Somerville  and  Germantown, 
at  the  corner  of  Penn  and  Chew  Streets,  in  which  case  it 
was  desired  to  have  the  Somerville  Sunday-School  removed 
to  that  point.  The  proposed  church  was  to  be  under 
charge  of  the  Sessional  Union,  representing  the  four 
churches  of  Germantown,  but  so  many  difficulties  were 
encountered,  that  the  enterprise  was  entirely  abandoned. 
The  new  Sunday-School  has  always  remained,  therefore,  as 
it  began,  a  mission  school  of  this  church.  So  few  of  the 
congregation  resided  within  reach  of  the  new  field,  that 
some  weeks  were  occupied  in  finding  the  requisite  number 
of  teachers.  Ou  Oct.  •25th,  1874,  however,  it  was  fully 
organized  and  held  its  first  service  with  48  scholars  and  9 
scholars.  During  1875,  ^^^  school  continued  to  use  the 
public  Hall  in  which  it  had  started,  at  the  corner  of 
Stenton  Avenue  and  Mill  Street.  In  the  Spring  of  1S76, 
the  necessity  for  a  new  building  led  to  the  purchase  of  a 
lot,  and  the  beginning  of  the  desired  chapel.  The 
ladies  of  the  Pastoral  Aid  Committee  coutinued  to  render 
efficient  service  in  procuring  the' requisite  funds,  and  with 
gratifying  success.  On  June  nth,  1876,  the  "Somerville 
Chapel  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  "  was  dedicated, 
free  of  debt.  Its  erection  and  furnishing  cost  $3,235.25, 
and  the  sum  of  $432.64  in  addition,  was  raised  for  the 
Sunday-School  and  other  services  held  during  the  year. 
The  Sunday-Schools  of  our  three  sister  churches,  gave  $50 
each  toward  the  erection  fund,  and  the  residents  in  the 


64  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

vicinity  of  the  School,  ^504.  At  the  last  Anniversary- 
held  in  October,  1879,  there  were  on  the  roll,  25  teachers 
and  278  scholars.  The  growth  of  the  School  is  only 
limited  by  the  size  of  the  building. 

The  Standing  Committee  on  Presbyterian  Home  for 
Widows'. 

This  is  one  of  those  committees,  whose  object  is  to  serve 
as  a  regular  means  of  communication  between  the  ladies  of 
this  church,  and  any  of  the  benevolent  institutions  in  the 
neighborhood  which  may  have  dealings  with  them. 

The  committee  usually  consists  of  those  members  of  the 
society  who  are,  in  some  way,  ofticially  connected  with  the 
institution. 

In  this  particular  case,  it  has  been  enabled  to  communi- 
cate much  desirable  information  to  the  church,  and  to 
secure  many  subscriptions  from  our  people,  for  this  most 
valuable  Home. 

The  Standing  Committee  on  Woman's  Christian 
Association. 

Those  managers  of  the  association,  who  are  also 
members  of  this  church,  form  a  committee,  with  the 
purpose  above  described.  One  of  them  served  for  some 
years  as  President  of  the  x\ssociation,  and  its  work  is  one 
of  great  interest  to  us  all. 

The  Standing  Committee  on  Hospitals. 

There,  are  ladies  in  the  Society  who  are  officially  con- 
nected with  the  Presbyterian  Hospital,  and  also  with  the 
Germantown  Hospital.  They  serve  as  the  organ  of  com- 
munication in  all  matters  pertaining  to  Woman's  work  in 
these  directions. 


IN  GERMANTOWN.  65 

The  Standing  Committee  on  Systematic  Visiting. 

This  is  a  branch  of  work  within  the  congregation  itself, 
which  really  occasioned  the  formation  of  the  Pastoral 
Aid  Society.  The  Pastor  was  very  desirous  of  aid  from 
the  ladies  of  the  congregation,  in  keeping  all  of  its  families 
constantly  reminded  of  their  relation  to  the  church ;  and 
as  other  departments  of  usefulness  were  also  to  be  opened, 
there  was  danger  of  a  multiplication  of  unconnected 
societies,  which  might  prove  troublesome.  Provision  was 
made,  therefore,  not  merely  for  the  desired  visiting,  but 
also  for  combining  this  and  the  other  new  enterprises,  with 
the  already-established  forms  of  woman's  work,  in  one 
organization. 

This  particular  committee  is  arranged  as  follows.  The 
whole  parish  is  divided  into  districts  of  convenient  size,  of 
which  there  were  at  first  nine,  and  are  now  fifteen. 

Each  of  these  districts  is  assigned  to  a  sub-committee  of 
two  visitors,  who  are  expected  ordinarily  to  call  upon  every 
church-family  within  its  bounds,  once  in  each  quarter. 

It  is  intended  that  the  Visiting  Committee  shall  thus 
become  intimately  acquainted  with  church  affairs  in  its 
own  district ;  shall  give  notice  to  the  Pastor  at  once  of  any 
case  of  sickness,  or  other  special  call  for  his  services,  and 
carry  a  welcome  to  new  families  which  may  arrive  from 
time  to  time. 

Usually  it  is  so  arranged  that  the  districts  do  not 
number  more  than  twelve  to  fifteen  families  each,  but 
the  Pulaskiville  and  Somerville  districts,  need  special 
provision.  In  the  latter  case  the  Visiting  Committee  has 
been  enlarged  by  the  addition  of  a  company,  of  young 
church-members,  living  within  the  district,  who  have 
rendered  most  efficient  service,  calling  upon  the  sick,  upon 
the  new  arrivals  at  the  chapel,  etc.  Throughout  the 
congregation,  several  hundred  calls  are  thus  made  every 


66  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

year,  and  though  the  results  may  not  be  immediately 
evident  in  every  case,  yet  they  are  well  worth  any  effort 
which  they  have  cost.  A  tract  is  left  at  each  visit,  and 
valuable  religious  help  has  been  given  and  received  during 
these  calls;  but  much  is  gained,  even  when,  as  in  so  many 
cases,  the  conversation  is  simply  that  of  informal  neigh- 
borly kindness. 

The  Standing  Committee  on  Social  Receptions. 

At  least  twice  each  year  the  congregation  is  expected  to 
spend  an  evening  together,  purely  for  social  intercourse. 
These  receptions  are  held  in  the  early  Summer,  and  in  the 
Fall ;  that  is  to  say,  just  before  the  people  are  scattered, 
more  or  less,  for  the  vacation  season,  and  also  when  the 
cool  weather  brings  the  season  for  renewing  active  work. 
Whatever  special  occasions  may  offer,  are  also  used  in  the 
same  way.  The  Sunday-school  room,  which  is  very  large, 
and  was  originally  planned  so  as  to  serve  this  purpose  when 
desired,  is  the  place  of  meeting.  Sometimes  there  are 
refreshments,  sometimes  not.  There  is  never  any  elaborate 
programme,  for  the  one  object  is  simply  to  introduce  new 
members  to  the  older  ones,  and  to  enable  each  to  take  by 
the  hand  as  many  others  as  possible.  The  Committee 
consists  of  a  few  members  of  experience,  who  are  aided  by 
the  young  ladies  at  large.  Sub-committees  are  arranged 
for  decorating  the  rooms,  for  receiving  the  guests  as  they 
enter,  etc. 

The  Standing  Committee  on  Furnishing  the 
Church  Building. 

This  Committee  was  of  sufficient  importance,  and  existed 
sufficiently  long,  to  be  added  to  the  list  of  the  Society, 
though  it  was  discontinued  with  the  final  accomplishment 
of  its  work.     Very  efficient  service  was  rendered,  both  in 


IN  GEKMANTCWN.  67 

securing  the  requisite  amount  of  funds,  and  in  supervising 
the  furnishing  of  the  new  church  building  in  1872. 

The  Standing  Committee  on  Care  of  the 
Church  Building. 

This  is  a  Committee  of  experienced  houskeepers,  who 
give  to  carpets  and  cushions,  walls  and  floors,  the  benefit  of 
their  supervision.  They  have  rendered  valuable  assistance 
in  securing  faithful  work  from  various  employes,  and 
especially  in  the  various  house-cleanings,  of  which  all  public 
edifices  are  at  times  in  need. 


The  Standing  Committee  on  Flowers  for 
Church  Services. 

The  object  of  this  Committee,  is  to  keep  a  list  of  those 
persons  in  the  congregation,  who  offer  to  send  flowers  for 
the  pulpit ;  and  to  arrange  with  them  the  various  details 
of  the  matter,  so  that  each  may  have  his  own  turn,  and 
as  many  as  possible  be  enlisted  for  contributing. 

The  Standing  Committee  on  Ladies' 
Prayer-Meetings. 

Since  the  winter  of  1873-74,  a  weekly  prayer-meeting 
has,  with  occasional  interruptions,  been  continued  by  the 
ladies  of  this  Society.  At  first  it  was  held  at  the  church, 
in  the  afternoon  of  the  day  on  which  the  Mother's  Meeting 
Avas  held,  and  just  after  that  meeting.  For  two  or  three 
years,  meetings  for  the  younger  ladies  were  also  held  on 
Sunday  evening,  before  service,  in  the  Ladies'  room ; 
these  were  often  attended  by  thirty-five  or  forty  persons, 
and  were  full  of  spiritual  interest.  Those  who  were  most 
active  in  them  were  reluctantly  obliged,  however,  to  dis- 


68  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

continue  them,  because  of  inability  to  attend  them  in 
addition  to  the  fatiguing  mission  work  and  other  services 
of  the  day.  This  particular  hour  was  sometimes  the  only 
one  in  the  day,  which  was  available  for  quiet  meditation 
and  prayer  at  home.  The  afternoon  meeting  was  also 
discontinued  for  one  season,  but  was  then  resumed,  with 
more  energy  than  before.  This  was  in  the  Fall  of  1877, 
and  both  time  and  place  were  changed ;  a  morning  hour 
was  chosen,  and  the  meeting  was  in  charge  of  the  pastor's 
wife,  at  her  own  home.  The  only  change  which  has  since 
been  made  was  that  of  the  place,  back  again  to  the  church, 
to  suit  the  convenience  of  some  among  the  increasing 
number  of  attendants.  Very  marked  interest  has  been 
manifested  in  these  services  of  prayer  and  conference ; 
those  who  have  attended  once,  have  usually  tried  to  come 
again.  The  good  results  are  unmistakable,  and  it  is  hoped 
that  this  gathering  will  remain  not  only  a  permanent,  but 
an  increasingly  prominent  feature  of  our  church  life. 

The  Standing  Committee  on  Sewing  Circle. 

It  may  appear  strange  that  the  old-fashioned  Sewing 
Circle  should  have  so  little  prominence,  among  such  a  list 
of  organizations  ;  yet  it  only  illustrates  again,  the  fact  that 
every  congregation  has  its  own  individuality,  and  that  any 
Society  like  this  must  be  elastic  enough  to  adapt  itself  to 
that  individuality,  and  even  to  its  changes  from  one  year 
to  another.  In  1875-76,  such  meetings  were  held  at  the 
various  houses  of  the  members,  and  in  1877-78,  at  the 
Pastor's  Study  in  the  church.  In  each  case  the  ladies  met 
at  four  o'clock,  and  had  tea  from  six  to  seven;  the 
gentlemen,  and  those  members  who  were  unable  to  attend 
earlier,  coming  in  the  evening.  The  Committee  continues 
its  organization,  and  doubtless  will  nnd  room  for  activity 
again  in  future  seasons. 


IN  GERMAN  TOWN.  69 

The  SxANDiNa  Committee  on  Parish  Library. 

This  Committee  was  formed  in  November,  1878,  and 
members  of  the  congregation  were  invited  to  bring  books 
for  the  nucleus  of  a  Library,  at  the  Social  Reception 
held  in  that  month.  More  than  two  hundred  volumes  are 
on  hand,  and  ready  for  use  on  Wednesday  evenings  after 
the  service,  the  books  being  kept  in  the  room  immediately 
adjoining  the  Lecture  Room.  There  can  be  little  doubt 
of  the  usefulness  of  such  a  Library,  especially  when  it 
reaches  a  more  satisfactory  size. 

The  Pastoral  Aid  Society 

had  collected  and  expended,  through  these  various  com- 
mittees, at  the  time  of  its  Ninth  Annual  Report,  in  April, 
1879,  the  following  amounts: 

FOR    EXTERNAL    MISSION    WORK. 

Home  Missions, $6, 122  66 

Foreign  Missions, 5, 000  58 

$11,123  24 

FOR    NEIGHBORHOOD    MISSION    WORK. 

Pulaskiville  Sunday-school  (Building and  Work), $3, 710  70 
Somerville  Sunday-school  (Building  and  Work),  5,152   18 

Relief  of  the  Poor, 2,943  55 

Bible-reader's  Work, 2,035  33 

Dorcas  Work, 561   21 

Mother's  Meetings, 234  57 

Tracts, 67  04 

Benevolent  Institutions, 1,456  05 

$16,160  63 

FOR    congregational    PURPOSES. 

Receptions,  Church  Furnishing,  etc., $  1,087  0° 

Total, $28,370  87 

The  remaining  part  of  our  church  work  is  largely  of  such 
a  nature,  as  to  be  carried  on  by  the  usual  organizations, 


70  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

comprising  both  sexes ;  such  as  the  Sunday-Schools,  the 
choir  (which  is  always  composed  of  church  members),  etc. 

Although  there  is  no  single  society  of  the  male  members, 
on  such  a  scale  as  the  Pastoral  Aid  Society,  yet  it  of  course 
devolves  upon  them  to  act  as  officers  of  the  schools,  etc. ; 
and  all  the  church  operations  are  supervised  by  those  who 
constitute  the  Session  and  Board  of  Tritstees.  Besides 
this,  there  have  been  organizations  of  Young  Men  for 
various  objects,  e.  g.,  for  holding  prayer  meetings  of 
their  own,  on  Sabbath  evenings,  as  early  as  1870;  for 
extending  the  hospitality  of  the  church  to  visitors;  for  co- 
operating with  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  of 
Germantown ;  and  especially  for  conducting  prayer  meet- 
ings, and  otherwise  carrying  on  gospel  work  at  Pulaskiville. 
Further  reference  to  this  will  be  made  on  another  page. 
For  the  last  two  years  a  Young  Men's  Society  has  existed, 
whose  object  is  primarily  the  holding  of  social  meetings 
each  month,  at  which  lectures,  illustrated  in  various  ways, 
concerts,  etc.,  are  given.  Even  at  the  first  of  these 
meetings  there  were  fifty  of  our  young  men  present,  and 
they  have  continued  to  be  successful  and  beneficial.  There 
is  in  this  the  germ  of  much  larger  fruitfulness  in  the  future. 

The  Sunday-School  Work  is  one  which  has  formed  a 
marked  feature  of  our  church  life,  almost  from  the  very 
beginning.  As  early  as  April  25th,  1819,  a  school  was 
formed,  "for  instructing  the  children  to  read,  and  learn 
by  heart,  portions  of  scripture."  It  attracted  children 
from  all  parts  of  the  village ;  so  that,  although  the 
community  was  still  distinctively  German,  there  were  as 
many  as  300  children  present.  The  other  churches, 
however,  soon  made  provision  for  their  own  children,  so 
that  this  school  depended  for  support  mainly  upon  the 
families  of  the  congregation  itself.  It  is  now  closing  its 
sixty-first  year,  with  fresh  tokens  of  life  and  usefulness. 


IN  GERMANTOWN.  71 

The  ordinary  business  of  the  school  is  carried  on  by 
a  "Sabbath-School  Association,"  Avhich  was  formed  for 
the  purpose  many  years  ago.  This  is  by  no  means  an 
independent  or  irresponsible  body ;  but  one  which  main- 
tains the  closest  relations  with  the  Church  Session.  For 
example,  the  preamble  to  its  Constitution  reads  as  fol- 
lows:  "We  the  undersigned,  Sabbath-School  officers  and 
teachers,  having  associated  ourselves  together  in  order 
to  accomplish  more  effectively  the  great  work  committed 
to  our  charge,  do  adopt  for  our  government  the  following 
Constitution :  the  same,  together  with  all  proceedings 
under  it,  being  subject  always  to  the  approval  of  the  church 
Session."  Then  follow  articles  by  which  the  Pastor  is 
recognized  as  ex-ofticio  President  of  the  Association : 
teachers  are  appointed  by  the  Superintendent,  with  the 
approval  of  the  Session,  etc.  The  General  Assembly,  and 
the  Westminster  Standards,  declare  explicitly  the  responsi- 
bility, and  therefore  the  authority  of  the  Session,  in 
regard  to  all  church  work  ;  and  this  principle  is  recognized 
practically  by  all  our  organizations.  Experience  has 
shown  that  our  loyalty  to  the  standards  on  this  point,  has 
always  been  of  great  service  in  securing  not  only  harmony, 
but  efficiency. 

In  1879,  there  were  420  names  enrolled  in  connection 
with  the  school ;  so  that  its  membership  is  not  far  from 
that  of  the  two  Mission  schools  taken  together.  The 
three  schools  are  closely  connected  in  various  ways :  and 
a  goodly  proportion  of  our  church  membership  may  be 
found  in  them  as  active  workers.  The  interest  of  the 
congregation  at  large,  is  manifested  in  subscriptions  for 
the  various  school  expenses,  and  in  the  large  attendance 
upon  any  special  occasions  in  the  school  life.  The  two 
Mission  School  Anniversaries,  which  follow  each  other  in 
October,    the   three    Christmas   Festivals,    which   fill   the 


^2  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

holiday  week  so  pleasantly  from  year  to  year,  and 
especially  the  Anniversary  of  the  Home  School  every 
Spring,  are  never  lacking  in  crowds  of  eagerly  interested 
attendants.  At  the  Spring  Anniversary,  indeed,  when  all 
three  schools  are  present,  the  church  building  has  for  some 
years  been  wholly  unable  to  furnish  even  standing  room, 
for  those  who  desire  to  be  present.  The  children  occupy 
most  of  the  seats,  and  the  aisles  are  filled  with  visitors  who 
remain,  though  obliged  to  stand  for  hours,  until  the  closing 
exercises.  The  Sabbath-School  choir  have  become,  under 
the  faithful  training  of  the  School  organist,  and  led  by  the 
cornets,  a  most  efficient  help,  not  only  on  these  public 
occasions,  but  in  the  ordinary  sessions  from  week  to  week. 
Of  course  the  real  power  of  the  School  for  the  conversion 
and  training  of  its  children,  is  found  in  faithful,  personal 
effort,  under  the  guidance  of  the  Great  Teacher. 

In  the  two  chapels,  Sabbath-School  work  is  connected 
various  other  forms  of  mission  enterprise.  At  Pulaski- 
ville,  weekly  prayer  meetings  have  been  held  since 
January,  1871;  just  after  the  chapel  was  erected.  These 
were  at  first  in  charge  of  the  various  elders,  who  served 
in  rotation:  and  were  held  on  Tuesday  evenings,  but 
afterward  on  Friday.  In  September,  1871,  they  were 
given  by  the  Session  into  the  hands  of  Dr.  Geo.  H. 
Burgin,  who  changed  the  time  for  holding  them  to 
Sabbath  evening.  In  this  form,  they  were  attended  with 
much  success,  until  the  sad  interruption  which  was  caused 
by  Dr.  Burgin's  sickness  and  death,  in  January,  1873. 
The  devotedness  and  efficiency  of  his  work  will  not  soon 
be  forgotten. 

In  the  next  month,  February,  1873,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Travis,  who  was  at  the  time  acting  as  Principal  of  the 
Germantown  Academy,  and  in  attendance  at  this  Church, 
took  up  the  work,  and  continued  in  charge  of  it  until  late 
in  the  Fall,  when  other  duties  compelled  him  to. resign  it. 


IN  GERMANTOWN.  73 

Early  in  January,  1874,  some  of  the  young  men  in  the 
Church  began  to  hold  regular  meetings  at  a  private  house 
near  the  chapel ;  and  iu  the  following  summer,  the  people 
of  the  neighborhood  came  together  more  largely  than  at 
any  previous  time,  in  attendance  upon  such  services.  It 
became  necessary  to  return  to  the  chapel  in  order  to  find 
room  enough;  and  since  September,  1874,  the  meetings 
have  continued  to  be  held  there. 

In  January,  1876,  Mr.  William  Johnson  was  called  in, 
with  the  hope  that  his  attractive  singing  might  bring 
within  reach  of  the  gospel  yet  larger  numbers.  He  was 
present  on  four  occasions,  and  during  that  season  many 
meetings  were  held  by  the  young  men,  and  by  the  other 
members  of  the  church  in  this  neighborhood.  The  attend- 
ance was  sometimes  more  than  one  hundred  and  fifty  at 
these  services,  and  for  a  long  time  afterAvard  additional 
meetings  were  held  from  house  to  house  on  Thursdays,  with 
an  average  attendance  of  about  thirty.  Many  additions 
were  made  to  the  church  at  the  communion,  three  months 
afterward,  and  the  work  resulted  in  much  permanent  good. 
This  meeting  is  still  in  charge  of  the  young  men  of  the 
church,  and  continues  to  be  a  valuable  feature  of  our 
mission  work.  The  chapel  has  also  been  used  for  Gospel 
Temperance  meetings  and  other  services.  The  daily  Parish 
School,  Sewing  School,  etc.,  held  there  for  some  years, 
have  already  been  described.  This  little  building  has 
proved  to  be  a  spring  of  w^holesome  influences  in  all  the 
neighborhood,  and  its  work  has  re-acted  in  the  most 
beneficial  manner  upon  the  church  itself. 

The  chapel  which  we  erected  for  our  Somerville  Mission 
School,  has  also  been  used  for  devotional  services  in  the 
evening.  The  difficulty  of  procuring  enough  lay  helpers 
for  this  purpose,  in  a  place  so  remote  from  the  main  body 
of  the  congregation,  led  to  the  suggestion  that  a  fund  be 


74  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

raised  sufficient  to  provide  salary  for  a  minister,  who  might 
take  charge  of  the  proposed  services.  This  plan  was 
therefore  brought  before  Session,  by  those  of  our  people 
who  were  especially  interested  in  that  field  ;  together  with 
the  statement  that  the  condition  of  affairs  was  still  such,  as 
to  manifestly  preclude  any  thought  of  forming  a  new 
organization  there  for  years  to  come ;  and  that  the  success 
of  the  work  depended  wholly  upon  its  being  recognized  by 
all  our  members  as  their  own  enterprise,  under  the  direct 
charge  of  their  own  Pastor  and  Session,  and  for  which  they 
as  a  church  had  the  entire  responsibility.  This  was  so 
evidently  the  case,  that  even  while  the  Session  continued 
to  hope  that  this  mission  might  ultimately  become  itself  a 
church,  they  concurred  in  the  belief  that  for  the  present, 
and  indeed  until  the  condition  of  the  field  should  materially 
alter  in  a  way  of  which  no  signs  had  yet  appeared,  it  must 
be  kept  before  this  congregation  as  an  integral  part  of  our 
own  parish  work. 

The  title  of  "Chapel  Minister"  has  been  given  by  the 
General  Assembly  to  those  whom  a  Session  may  entrust 
with  such  services,  in  a  mission  station  under  its  care. 
The  first  to  occupy  in  this  way  the  pulpit  of  our  Somerville 
Chapel  was  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hofford,  then  of  Doylestown, 
Penna.,  who  preached  on  Sabbath  evenings  for  some  three 
months,  his  salary  being  provided  by  the  church  in  the  form 
of  private  subscriptions.  Other  engagements,  however, 
prevented  him  from  entering  upon  the  work  as  fully 
as  he  at  first  intended,  and  caused  him  to  relinquish  it. 
In  January,  1877,  another  Chapel  Minister  was  therefore 
engaged,  viz. :  the  Rev.  Mosely  H.  Williams.  As  the 
work  was  no  longer  a  mere  experiment,  regular  annual 
subscribers  were  now  secured,  so  as  to  provide  for  the 
minister's  salary  in  this  way  as  far  as  possible,  and  avoid 
the  necessity  of  special  collections. 


IN  GERMANTOWN.  75 

The  wish  for  a  weekly  prayer-meeting  in  the  chapel  was 
now  gratified,  since  the  residence  of  Mr.  Williams  in  the 
part  of  Germantown  toward  Somerville  enabled  him  to 
inaugurate  services  of  this  kind.  This  was  done  at  his 
own  suggestion,  and  is  indicative  of  his  cordial  interest  in 
the  work.  Both  meetings  were  well  attended  and  successful. 
In  the  Fall  of  1878,  it  was  believed  that  the  way  was  open 
for  still  further  enlargement  of  the  work,  and  application 
was  made,  by  the  members  connected  with  this  part  of  our 
church  work,  for  arrangements  whereby  two  services  might 
be  held  each  Sabbath,  and  regular  visiting  be  carried  on 
throughout  the  week.  After  some  time  had  been  spent  in 
considering  this  application,  and  ascertaining  the  condition 
of  the  field  itself,  the  session  agreed  to  sanction  it,  and 
provision  was  made  for  securing  additional  funds  in  order 
to  bring  up  the  salary  to  the  requisite  amount. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Williams  was  precluded  by  other  engage- 
ments from  accepting  the  position  in  its  enlarged  form, 
and  after  conference  with  several  other  brethren,  an 
agreement  was  finally  made  with  the  Rev.  James  W.  Kirk, 
who  became  our  Chapel  Minister,  March  19th,  1879. 
Good  results  from  this  enlargement  of  the  work  were 
shown  immediately,  and  this  whole  wing  of  the  church 
force  is  now  equipped  for  excellent  service. 

Some  of  the  other  features  of  church  life  during  the  last 
decade  may  be  grouped  together  as  follows. 

In  connection  with  our  Sabbath  worship  it  is  to  be  noted 
that  the  afternoon  service  was  transferred  to  evening  in  the 
Spring  of  1870:  this  change,  together  with  that  of  the 
weekly  prayer  meeting  from  Friday  to  Wednesday,  being 
in  the  direction  of  harmony  with  the  other  churches  in  the 
vicinity,  and  attended  with  good  results. 

The  Sabbath  morning  service  has  been  introduced  by 
the  Doxology,  since  June,  1870;  and  it  is  especially  note- 


76  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

worthy  that  since  June,  1873,  every  service,  during  the 
week,  or  on  the  Lord's  Day,  has  been  closed,  not  merely 
with  the  Benediction,  but  with  a  pause  for  silent  prayer. 
Before  pronouncing  the  Benediction,  and  also  immediately 
after  it,  the  congregation  stands  in  entire  silence,  long 
enough  to  give  opportunity  for  such  prayer,  and  therefore 
to  secure  a  reverential  conclusion  to  the  worship  of  God. 
This  suggestion  was  accepted  at  once,  when  first  proposed, 
and  has  never  needed  to  be  renewed. 

During  the  present  pastorate,  persons  received  into 
communion  upon  profession  of  faith,  have  been  given  a 
public  welcome,  before  partaking  of  the  Lord's  Supper. 
The  form  used  for  this  purpose  will  be  found  at  the  close 
of  this  book.  It  will  be  noticed  that  these  persons  are 
presented  to  the  congregation,  not  as  candidates  for 
reception,  but  as  already  in  full  membership,  and  to  be 
welcomed  as  such. 

The  Week  of  Prayer  has  been  observed,  at  the  beginning 
of  each  year ;  and  the  following  programme,  with  slight 
verbal  alterations,  has  been  in  use,  almost  from  the  com- 
mencement of  this  pastorate  : 

Sabbath.  The  petition,  "  Thy  Kingdom  Come:"  and, 
in  order  to  the  fulfillment  of  this,  prayer  for  the  out- 
pouring of  the  Holy  Spirit  upon  all  flesh. 

Monday.  Thanksgiving  for  that  which  God  has  done  to 
bring  the  world  to  Himself,  and  confession  of  our  short- 
coming as  fellow-laborers  with  Him. 

Tuesday.  Prayer  for  the  out-pouring  of  the  Holy  Spirit 
upon  THE  Family,  and  its  supj  lementary  agencies  the 
Sunday  Schools,  Colleges,  etc.,  in  all  lands. 

Wednesday.  Prayer  for  the  out-pouring  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  upon  the  Nations,  and  for  political  and  social 
reform,  temperance,  etc. 


IN  GERMANTOWN. 


11 


Thursday.  For  the  out-pouring  of  the  Holy  Spirit  upon 
THE  Church  Universal,  in  its  ministry  and  membership. 

Friday.  For  the  out-pouring  of  the  Holy  Spirit  upon 
THE  Church  in  its  Foreign  Mission  Work,  and  for  the 
conversion  of  the  heathen. 

Saturday.  Prayer  for  the  out-pouring  of  the  Holy  Spirit 
upon  THE  Church  in  its  Home  Missions,  and  for  the 
conversion  of  souls  in  our  own  land,  especially  in  the 
locality  where  the  prayer-meeting  is  held. 

It  was  intended  to  secure  for  our  Church,  by  the  use  of 
this  programme,  certain  advantages  which  were  often 
lacking  in  the  schedule  prepared  by  the  Evangelical 
Alliance,  e.  g.  The  same  prominence  is  given  to  the 
coming  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  to  the  Kingdom  of  Christ 
in  all  the  earth,  which  characterized  the  prayer-meetings 
during  the  days  before  Pentecost.  This  was  the  model 
after  which  the  Week  of  Prayer  was  originally  formed,  in 
the  year  i860:  but  in  the  course  of  time  it  was  greatly 
changed,  even  to  the  omitting,  or  the  barely  mentioning 
of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  some  of  the  programmes. 

Again  :  it  was  by  Foreign  Missionaries  that  this  Week  was 
originated,  and  with  the  express  object  of  securing 
universal  prayer  for  the  world-wide  interests  of  Christi- 
anity: but  we  sometimes  found  the  whole  week  passing 
away  with  no  distinct  emphasis  whatever  upon  Foreign 
Missions.  In  our  programme,  the  last  two  days  are 
assigned,  the  one  to  Foreign  and  the  other  to  Home 
Missions;  and  on  all  the  other  days,  both  the  universal 
and  the  local  references  are  included. 

Another  advantage  sought,  was  the  more  orderly 
arrangement  of  topics  for  prayer.  In  the  published 
schedules,  these  were  often  unduly  multiplied,  and  grouped 
in  the  most  incongruous  manner;  whereas  they  might  all 


78  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

be  classified  with  the  Family,  the  Nation,  or  the  Church, 
the  three  Divine  institutions  for  reaching  men. 

We  were  frequently  urged,  in  view  of  such  facts,  to 
disregard  the  usual  programmes  entirely,  and  confine  the 
week  altogether  to  prayer  for  a  local  revival :  but  it  seemed 
better  to  act  on  the  plan  above  indicated,  in  the  expec- 
tation that  it  would  help  and  not  hinder  us,  in  seeking  for 
success  in  our  own  work. 

We  are  confirmed  in  this  judgment  by  the  fact  that 
within  the  last  two  years  this  programme  has  been  adopted, 
substantially,  in  several  different  cities,  by  those  to  whom 
it  has  been  made  known ;  and  also  by  the  Synod  of 
Philadelphia. 

There  have  been  several  seasons  of  marked  religious 
interest  during  this  period.  In  1870,  it  was  to  such  a  time 
of  special  quickening,  that  the  project  of  building  a  new 
edifice  owed  its  first  impulse.  The  entrance  into  this 
building  in  1872,  was  followed  by  another  experience  of 
the  same  kind. 

In  the  Spring  and  Summer  of  1874,  there  was  a  manifest 
desire  for  special  meetings,  quite  a  number  of  which  were 
held,  with  large  attendance  and  good  results.  Still  later, 
we  shared  in  the  benefits  accruing  to  many  of  the  neigh- 
boring churches  in  the  Winter  and  Spring  of  1876,  from 
the  prominence  given  to  religious  subjects  by  the  public  at 
large,  in  connection  with  the  Moody  and  Sankey  meetings 
in  Philadelphia.  Only  one  person,  indeed,  of  the  sixty 
who  were  that  year  added  to  this,  church  by  profession  of 
faith,  traced  his  conversion  directly  to  these  meetings:  but 
they  greatly  aided  in  maintaining  a  religious  atmosphere 
favorable  to  such  results.  One  marked  feature  during  all 
these  periods,  has  been  the  increase  of  the  spirit  of  united 
prayer,  as  shown,  not  only  in  the  enlarged  attendance  and 
deeper  interest  of  the  congregational  prayer-meeting,  but 


IN  GERMAXTOWN.  -  79 

in  special  meetings  held  among  themselves  by  the  young 
men,  and  others  by  the  young  women  and  girls:  the 
Ladies'  Prayer-Meeting  described  in  connection  with  the 
Pastoral  Aid  Society,  is  another  instance  of  the  same  kind. 

It  is  pleasant  to  note  the  fact,  that  two  of  our  members 
have  been  ordained  within  this  period  to  the  gospel 
ministry:  Revs.  Alexander  Henry  and  George  Yeisley. 
The  former  will  be  especially  remembered,  as  born  and 
nurtured  within  the  congregation. 

The  Session  of  the  church  has  had  several  changes  of 
membership.  In  1870  the  elders  were  T.  Charlton  Henry, 
Joseph  W.  Parks,  and  Enoch  Taylor.  In  January,  187 1, 
William  Adamson  and  Thomas  MacKellar  were  added ;  in 
December,  1874,  Edward  L.  Wilson,  and  in  December, 
1876,  Charles  M.  Lukens.  Elders  Parks  and  Adamson 
afterward  removed,  the  former  to  another  part  of  the 
country,  and  the  latter  to  the  Wakefield  Church,  in  whof.e 
session  he  remained  until  his  death  (in  1879). 

The  formation  of  the  Sessional  Union  may  be  taken  as 
indicative  of  our  fraternal  relation  toward  the  neighboring 
churches.  As  early  as  October,  1870,  this  Session  extended 
an  invitation  to  the  others  in  Germantown,  looking  toward 
such  a  Union  :  some  unexpected  difficulties  were  encoun- 
tered at  that  time,  but  information  of  their  removal  was 
received  in  June,  1872,  and  the  invitation,  being  then 
renewed,  was  at  once  accepted.  All  the  active  members 
of  every  session  in  Germantown  were  enrolled,  and  a 
permanent  organization  was  formed ;  its  object  being 
"fraternal  consultation  and  united  action  upon  those 
subjects  in  which  our  churches  have  a  common  interest." 
The  meetings  of  this  Union  have  continued  to  be  most 
pleasant  and  profitable,  both  in  the  promotion  of  brotherly 
feeling,  and  in  efficient  action  upon  various  matters  of 
importance. 


80  ■  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

One  of  its  first  fruits  was  the  organization  of  the  Wake- 
field Presbyterian  Church  of  Germantown.  Early  in  the 
year  1873  Elder  Wm.  Adamson  informed  his  fellow-elders 
in  this  church,  that  he  had,  for  a  long  time  felt  the  call  to 
secure  a  new  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  lower  part  of  the 
town,  where  a  large  field  existed,  unoccupied  by  any  congre- 
gation, and  becoming  rapidly  populated;  and  that  he  now 
felt  himself  able  to  undertake  this  enterprise,  in  view  of  the 
fact  that  our  own  people  were  fully  settled  in  their  new 
edifice,  and  could  afford  to  dismiss  him.  The  Session  at 
once  expressed  hearty  sympathy  with  him  in  this  plan,  and 
although  deeply  regretting  the  separation  from  us  which  it 
involved,  pledged  him  its  cordial  support.  The  matter 
was  then  laid  before  the  Sessional  Union  :  Mr.  Adamson 
offering  to  give  a  lot  valued  at  ^9000  for  the  new  church, 
and  agreeing  to  commence  building  at  once,  in  case  the 
three  congregations  should  subscribe  as  much  as  ^3000  in 
all,  toward  the  fund.  Considerably  more  than  this  sum  was 
at  once  pledged.  In  a  letter  written  by  Mr.  Adamson 
some  time  afterward,  he  stated  to  us  that  $4107.65  had 
been  received  from  the  three  congregations,  of  which  sum 
$2013.95,  or  nearly  one-half,  had  come  from  that  of  the 
First  Church.  Upon  the  receipt  of  his  letter,  this  Session 
sent  him  an  additional  sum,  bringing  our  total  contribution 
for  the  Building  Fund  up  to  $2100,  which  was  the  amount 
we  had  expected  to  raise,  although  no  promise  to  that 
effect  had  ever  been  given.  This  action  was  taken  "  as  an 
expression  of  fraternal  regard  for  Bro.  Adamson,  and  with 
hearty  desire  for  the  still  more  abundant  success  of  the  new 
church."  Toward  this,  our  youngest  sister-church,  there 
still  exists  the  same  cordial  sympathy,  which  led  us  then  to 
open  the  way  for  the  unobstructed  departure  of  so  cherished 
an  elder  as  Mr.  Adamson,  and  of  any  other  members  who 
inclined  to  follow  his  example.     The  subscriptions  which 


IN  GERMANTOWN.  8  I 

have  lately  been  given  by  members  of  this  congregation, 
toward  the  proposed  erection  of  another  and  larger  edifice 
for  the  Wakefield  Church,  are  but  further  indications  of  the 
same  spirit.  Toward  the  other  two  churches,  the  same  dis- 
position of  warm  fraternal  regard  has  always  been  ready 
to  show  itself.  The  visit  paid  to  us  by  the  Market  Square 
Church,  during  the  work  of  repairing  its  own  edifice  in 
September  and  October,  1872,  is  still  most  pleasurably 
remembered.  A  similar  invitation  was  afterward  extended 
to  the  Second  Church  under  the  same  circumstances,  and 
with  the  same  motive. 

As  would  naturally  be  expected,  the  Young  Men's 
Christian  Association  of  Germantown  has  received  support 
and  aid  from  this  church,  since  its  first  organization.  It 
traces  its  foundation  chiefly  to  the  christian  zeal  of  Mr. 
Adamson,  Avho  was  at  that  time,  and  for  some  years 
afterward,  still  in  this  church.  He  did  not  content  himself 
with  the  efficient  work  he  was  doing  here,  however,  but 
sought  to  influence  the  whole  community  for  good.  His 
personal  efforts,  and  the  responsibility  for  its  current 
expenses,  which  he  so  long  carried,  were  indispensable  to 
its  success.  In  this  he  was  sustained  by  the  other  members 
of  the  church.  The  Board  of  Trustees  put  ^3000  into  the 
Young  Men's  Christian  Association  Stock,  and  others  gave 
enough  to  make  a  total  contribution,  amounting  to  one-half 
of  all  the  unconditional  subscriptions  received  from  every 
source,  when  the  building  was  occupied.  The  Association 
held  its  public  meetings  in  this  church,  until,  through 
Mr.  Adamson's  advancing  a  large  part  of  the  necessary 
sum,  it  purchased  our  former  edifice  and  remodeled  it  for 
its  own  uses. 

Toward  all  its  sister  churches  of  every  denomination, 
and  toward  all  christian  work,  this  church  has  ever  been 
glad  to  manifest  the  spirit  of  brotherly  co-operation.     For 


82  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

example,  the  Convention  which  carried  on  the  Germantown 
Local  Option  movement,  held  its  meetings  in  our  building, 
and  chose  for  its  President  one  of  our  elders,  Mr.  Thomas 
MacKellar;  and  other  enterprises  which  require  united 
Christian  support,  appeal  continually  with  confidence  and 
success  to  the  sympathy  of  this  people. 
■  There  are,  of  course,  other  features  in  the  church  life 
and  work  which  might  be  mentioned,  but  enough  has 
been  given  to  indicate  its  general  character  and  tendency. 

Such  a  review  is  the  more  appropriate  at  this  particular 
time,  because  the  Pastor  has  felt  himself  led,  in  the 
Providence  of  God,  to  take  measures  for  resigning  his 
charge  at  the  beginning  of  the  new  year  (1880).  The 
collection  and  arrangement  of  the  various  facts  which 
are  here  included,  has  been  to  him  a  labor  of  love.  It 
is  meant  to  be,  on  his  part,  a  token  of  hearty  appreciation 
for  the  unceasing  affection  and  cordiality,  with  which  the 
people  of  this  beloved  church  have  continually  surrounded 
him. 

It  is  also  hoped  that  each  of  the  members,  into  whose 
hands  this  little  book  may  come,  will  accept  it  as  a 
personal  appeal  to  himself,  to  enter  into  his  own  share 
in  the  common  work,  with  fresh  zeal  and  consecration. 
"Lift  up  your  eyes  and  look  on  the  fields,  for  they  are 
white  already  to  harvest ;  and  he  that  reapeth  receiveth 
wages,  and  gathereth  fruit,  unto  life  eternal." 


FORMS  OF  WORSHIP. 


l^s  connected  with  the  history  of  this  Church,  a  copy  is 

herewith  given,  of  the  forms  which  have 

been  used  in  its  public  worship. "] 


84  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

The  usual  Order  of  Services  on  the  Sabbath,  has  been  as 
follows : 

Morning  Worship. 

Doxology.     [Congregation  rising.] 

Brief  Invocation.     [Congregation  still  standing.] 

Hymn. 

Decalogue,  or  other  Scripture  Lesson. 

[Anthem,  if  any.] 
Notices. 

[Collection,  if  any.] 
Prayer. 
Hymn. 
Sermon. 
Prayer. 

Hymn.     [Congregation  rising.] 
Benediction.     [Preceded  and  followed  by  silent  prayer.] 


Evening  Worship. 
Anthem. 
Scripture-lesson. 
Hymn. 
Prayer. 
Hymn. 
Sermon. 
Prayer. 

Hymn.     [Congregation  rising.] 
Benediction  [and  silent  prayer,  as  at  every  service.] 


IN  GERMANTOWN.  85 

Baptism. — Baptism  has  usually  been  administered  to 
children,  after  the  first  hymn  and  before  the  Scripture- 
lesson,  at  the  Morning  Service,  as  follows: 

Reading  of  Mark  x.  13-1 7.    [Parents  enter  and  are  seated.] 
Address  [during  which  the  parents  arise.] 
Prayer  ; — Baptism  ; — Prayer : 
Hymn. 

The  Lord's  Supper. — On  Communion  Day,  the  follow- 
ing order  has  been  observed  : 

Doxology. 

Invocation. 

Hymn. 

Scripture-lesson. 

Notices. 

Collection  for  Poor  Fund. 

Announcement  and  Recognition  of  New  Members. 

Brief  Address  or  Sermon. 

Invitation  to  the  Lord's  Supper. 

Hymn. 

[At  the  Communion-table.] 
Prayer. 

Distribution  of  Bread  [in  silence.] 
Prayer. 

Distribution  of  Wine  [in  silence.] 
Hymn. 
Benediction  [and  silent  prayer.] 


86  first  presbyterian  church 

Public  Recognition  to  Church  Members. 

[By  the  Presbyterian  Constitution,  the  question  of 
admitting  any  person  into  church  membership  is  entrusted 
solely  and  entirely  to  the  Session,  which  consists  of  the 
Pastor  and  Ruling  Elders. 

It  is  by  the  act  of  the  Session,  and  not  by  that  of  any 
public  assembly  of  the  whole  congregation,  that  admittance 
is  given.  In  the  case  of  unbaptized  persons,  however,  it  is 
required  that  after  being  thus  accepted  by  the  Session, 
they  shall  repeat  their  confession  of  faith  in  Christ 
publicly,  and  thereupon  be  baptized.  In  the  case  of  those 
who  were  "born  within  the  pale  of  the  visible  Church," 
and  have  been  recognized  as  such  by  Baptism  in  childhood, 
no  public  act  is  necessary  in  order  to  their  entrance  upon 
full  Communion,  beyond  a  confession  of  their  faith  in 
Christ,  made  in  the  presence  of  the  Session.  Nevertheless 
it  is  allowable  to  give  them  the  privilege  of  repeating  this 
confession  before  the  whole  church,  and  thus  receiving  its 
public  welcome  and  recognition. 

It  is  to  be  remembered,  therefore,  that  such  persons  do 
not  stand  before  the  congregation  as  candidates,  who  are 
then  and  there  to  be  given  admittance  into  church 
membership :  but  that  they  are  already  in  full  membership, 
and  are  to  be  welcomed  as  such. 

And  with  regard  to  this  confession  itself,  it  is  carefully 
to  be  noted,  that  all  which  can  be  required  of  any  person, 
before  admitting  him  into  Communion,  is  that  he  trust  and 
obey  Christ,  and  seek  the  peace  and  welfare  of  the  Church. 
In  the  words  which  have  expressed  the  rule  of  our  Church 
on  this  matter  since  the  year  1729:  "We  are  willing 
to  admit  to  fellowship  in  sacred  ordinances,  all  such  as  we 
have  ground  to  believe  Christ  will  at  last  admit  to  the 
kingdom  of  heaven." 

There  is  a  most  important  difference  between  the 
requirement  which  is  made   upon  private   members,    and 


IN  Gl^RMANTOWN.  87 

that  which  is  made  upon  public  ofificers.  The  Church  as 
an  organization,  does  hold  faithfully  to  the  system  of 
doctrine  which  is  contained  in  the  Westminster  Standards: 
and  before  any  person  is  given  authority  to  represent  the 
Church  by  holding  one  of  its  public  offices,  he  must  be 
able  to  declare  that  he  in  person  does  sincerely  and 
unfeignedly  accept  and  believe  that  system  as  true.  One 
who  undertakes  to  publicly  teach  in  the  name  of  the 
Church,  must  of  course  be  required  to  teach  nothing 
which  is  contrary  to  its  creed.  But  private  members  are 
considered  to  be  learners,  rather  than  teachers.  All 
which  is  asked  concerning  their  religious  opinions  is,  that 
they  be  such  as  not  to  interfere  with  trusting  and  obeying 
Christ,  as  their  God  and  Saviour,  or  with  seeking  the 
peace  and  welfare  of  the  Church. 

It  is  upon  these  cherished  principles  of  our  beloved 
Church,  which  combine  faithfulness  to  the  truth,  with  the 
utmost  broadness  of  Christian  liberality,  that  the  following 
service  is  formed.] 

Form  of  Public  Recognitio.v. 

"  The  following  announcement  is  made  by  the  Session 
of  this  church  : 

We  have  received  by  Certificate  [A.  from  church  of  B.], 
whom  we  commend  to  you,  as  henceforth  your  fellow- 
members. 

We  have  agreed  thaj;  [C.  and  D.]  shall  be  admitted  into 
the  church  by  Baptism,  after  publicly  repeating  the  Con- 
fession of  Faith,  which  [they]  made  in  our  presence. 

We  have  admitted  to  the  Lord's  Table  [E.  and  F.],  who, 
being  already  baptized  as  children  of  the  church,  are  now 
advanced  into  its  full  communion,  upon  Confession  of 
Faith.  This  Confession  will  now  be  repeated  before  you, 
in  order  that  public  recognition  and  welcome  may  be 
given  by  the  whole  church. 


55  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

[  They  ivill  noiv  arise  .•] 

Dearly  Beloved  :  Remember  the  words  of  the  Lord 
Jesus,  how  He  said,  "Whosoever  shall  confess  me  before 
men,  him  shall  the  Son  of  Man  also  confess,  before  the 
angels  of  God."  In  the  presence  therefore  of  men,  and 
of  angels,  and  of  the  heart-searching  God,  do  you  solemnly 
confess  and  declare  that  you  believe  in  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  as  your  God  and  Saviour  ? 

Consider  what  it  is  to  believe  in  Christ ;  so  that  you 
may  the  better  hold  fast  the  profession  of  your  faith 
without  wavering. 

The  Lord  Jesus  hath  graciously  promised  to  give  Him- 
self, in  all  His  saving  power  and  love,  unto  every  soul 
which  will  accept  Him.  If  we  believe,  or  have  faith,  in 
Him,  we  will  thus  accept  Him ;  we  will  entrust  ourselves 
unto  Him  to  be  saved  \  and  rely  upon  Him  alone,  for 
everlasting  life.  Day  by  day,  therefore,  will  we  go  unto 
Him  for  every  needful  blessing,  but  especially  for  pardon, 
and  for  strength  against  sin.  Moreover,  we  will  show  our 
faith  in  Him  by  endeavoring,  in  this  Divine  strength,  to 
follow  and  obey  the  Lord  in  all  things. 

Is  it  with  this  meaning  and  purpose,  that  you  now  make 
confession  of  your  faith  ? 

Furthermore;  if  you  receive  Christ  as  your  Lord,  you 
will  accept  His  people  to  be  your  people  :  entering  into 
covenant  with  us  to  seek  the  peace  and  welfare  of  His 
Church,  and  faithfully  to  perform  your  part  in  its  work 
and  worship,  so  far  as  Christ  may  enable  you. 

Is  this  also -your  desire  and  purpose? 

[In  Case  of  Baptism.] 

[The  sign  and  seal  of  this  covenant  with  the  Lord,  and 

of  membership   in    His    Church,   is  to  be  given   by  the 

administration  of  Baptism,  whenever,  as  at  this  time,  we 

receive   any   person  who   is   not   already  baptized.     The 


IX  GERMANTOWN.  89 

water  which  is  used  signifies  the  cleansing  power  of 
Christ's  blood,  applied  by  the  Holy  Ghost ;  and  the  words 
which  are  spoken,  signify  the  bringing  of  the  soul  which  is 
thus  cleansed,  into  the  Baptism,  or  under  the  complete 
influence,  of  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost,  which  is  life 
everlasting. 

This  Ordinance  will  now  be  administered. 
(Prayer  ; — Baptism  ; — Prayer.)  ] 

[77/(f  711  embers  of  this  church  linll  now  arise. '\  We 
therefore,  as  members  of  this  church,  do  give  you  hearty 
welcome  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  to  sit  down 
with  us  at  His  table.  We  accept  your  covenant  with  us, 
and  engage  on  our  part  to  treat  you  in  love,  as  members 
of  the  Body  of  Christ ;  aiding  you  on  the  journey  toward 
heaven,  as  God  may  give  us  opportunity. 

It  behooves  us  all  to  remember,  that  these  covenant 
obligations  to  Christ  and  to  one  another,  are  already 
enjoined  upon  us  by  the  Lord  Himself,  as  our  solemn  duty, 
from  which  we  have  no  right  to  withhold  our  consent. 
Let  us  therefore  pray  without  ceasing,  for  that  grace 
through  which  alone  we  shall  keep  them  faithfully.  Let  us 
thank  Him  for  permitting  us  to  become  fellow-laborers 
with  God,  and  with  one  another.  And  when  our  com- 
munion of  labor  and  of  love  with  the  church  on  earth  is 
dissolved,  may  God  receive  us  all  into  fellowship  with  the 
Church  Triumphant  in  heaven,  through  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord,  to  whom  be  glory  forever:  Amen. 

Blest  be  the  tie  that  binds 

Our  hearts  in  Christian  love; 
The  ft  llowship  of  kindred  minds 

Is  like  to  that  above. 

Before  our  Father's  throne, 

We  pour  our  ardent  prayers ; 
Our  fears,  our  hopes,  our  aims  are  one, 

Our  comforts  and  our  cares. 

[  To  be  sung  as  closing  this  part  of  the  Service. '\ 


90  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

Invitation  to  the  Lord's  Supper. 

And  now,  before  we  enter  upon  the  Communion 
Service,  let  us  read  that  which  is  written  concerning  this 
Holy  Supper,  in  the  First  Epistle  to  the  Corinthians,  at 
the  eleventh  chapter. 

"For  I  have  received  of  the  Lord  that  which  also  I 
delivered  unto  you,  That  the  Lord  Jesus,  the  same  night  in 
which  He  was  betrayed,  took  bread:  And  when  He  had 
given  thanks.  He  brake  it,  and  said,  Take,  eat :  this  is  my 
body  which  is  broken  for  you :  this  do  in  remembrance  of 
me.  After  the  same  manner  also  He  took  the  cup,  when 
He  had  supped,  saying.  This  cup  is  the  new  covenant  in 
my  blood :  this  do  ye,  as  oft  as  ye  drink  it,  in  remembrance 
of  me.  For  as  often  as  ye  eat  this  bread,  and  drink  this 
cup,  ye  do  shew  the  Lord's  death,  till  He  come." 

The  Lord's  Supper  is  the  ordinance  of  Jesus  Christ 
Himself.  Until  He  come  again.  His  people  are  to  eat  this 
bread  and  drink  this  cup  in  remembrance  of  Him.  It  is 
therefore  in  obedience  to  the  express  commandment  of  our 
Lord,  that  we  come  now  to  His  table. 

And  I  remind  you,  in  the  words  of  our  Church,  "that 
it  is  of  inestimable  benefit,  to  strengthen  Christ's  people 
against  sin;  to  support  them  under  troubles;  to  encourage 
and  quicken  them  in  duty;  to  inspire  them  with  love  and 
zeal ;  to  increase  their  faith  and  holy  resolution ;  and 
to  beget  peace  of  conscience,  and  comfortable  hopes 
of  eternal  life." 

I  am  also  charged  to  give  warning,  that  the  profane,  the 
ignorant  and  scandalous,  and  those  who  are  wilfully 
purposed  in  their  hearts  to  continue  indulging  themselves 
in  any  known  sin,  are  not  to  approach  this  holy  table. 

On  the  other  hand,  I  am  to  invite  unto  it,  those  of  you 
who  are  sensible  of  your  lost  and  helpless  state  by  sin,  and 
who  therefore  depend  upon  the  atonement  of  Christ  for 


IN  GIlRMAXTOWN.  91 

pardon  and  acceptance  with  God :  who  are  sufficiently 
instructed  in  Gospel  truth  to  understand  the  meaning  and 
use  of  this  ordinance,  and  who  desire  to  renounce  their 
sins,  being  determined  by  Christ's  grace  to  lead  a  holy 
life,  in  love  toward  God,  with  peace  and  charity  toward 
men;  "forgiving  one  another,  even  as  God  for  Christ's 
sake  hath  forgiven  you." 

I  therefore,  cordially  invite  all  such  as  are  here  described, 
and  especially,  if  they  are  strangers  and  visitors  from  other 
churches,  to  partake  with  us.  It  is  the  table  of  the  Lord, 
and  not  ours ;  whomsoever  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  invites, 
let  not  man  hinder  from  coming. 

Neither  let  us  be  discouraged  because  of  the  sins  and 
imperfections  which  yet  remain  within  us,  even  against  our 
wills,  but  remember  His  own  most  gracious  word, 

"  Come  unto  me,  all  ye  that  labor  and  are  heavy-laden, 
and  I  will  give  you  rest." 

"They  that  are  whole  need  not  a  physician,  but  they 
that  are  sick ;  I  came,  not  to  call  the  righteous,  but 
sinners  to  repentance." 

"Behold,  I  stand  at  the  cloor  and  knock;  if  any  man 
hear  my  voice  and  open  the  door,  I  will  come  in  to  him, 
and  sup  with  him,  and  he  with  me." 

Words  used  in  the  Lord's  Supper. 

Dearly  Beloved  :  The  Lord  Jesus  began  this  holy  supper 
with  prayer  and  thanksgiving ;  after  His  example,  there- 
fore, let  us  pray.      \^Ff-ayer.'] 

And  now  let  us  obey  the  Lord  Jesus,  who,  the  same 
night  in  which  He  was  betrayed,  took  bread,  and  when  He 
had  given  thanks.  He  brake  it,  and  said :  "  Take,  eat,  this 
is  my  body,  which  is  broken  for  you  :  this  do  in  remem- 
brance of  me."      \_Distnlmiion  of  Bread. '\ 

It   is  written  that,   "after  the  same  manner  also,"  He 


92 


FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 


took  the  cup ;  that  is,  after  He  had  again  looked  up  to 
God  in  prayer  and  thanksgiving.  According  to  His 
example  let  us  again  unite  in  prayer.     IJ^rayer.^ 

As  it  is  written,  then,  "  He  took  the  cup,  and  when  He 
had  given  thanks,  He  gave  it  unto  them,  saying,  This  cup 
is  the  new  covenant  in  my  blood  ;  this  do  ye,  as  oft  as  ye 
drink  it,  in  remembrance  of  me."     \_Distribution  of  W//ie.] 

And  finally,  it  is  written,  that  "when  they  had  sung  an 
hymn,  they  went  out;"  let  us  also,  therefore,  close  our 
communion  service  with  a  hymn. 

Form  for  Baptism  of  Infants. 

[Doxology.   Invocation.   Hymn.  Read  Mark  x:    13-16.] 
Opportunity   is  now   to  be   given    for   the   Baptism   of 
Children. 

We  administer  unto  them  this  ordinance,  because  we 
accept  it  as  the  will  of  Christ,  that  children  of  believers 
are  still  to  be  recognized  as  children  of  the  Church,  even 
as  they  were  under  the  Old  Testament ;  and  that  Baptism 
is  the  form  appointed  by  Him  for  this  purpose.  The  water 
which  is  used,  signifies  the  cleansing  power  of  Christ's 
blood,  applied  by  the  Holy  Ghost;  and  the  words  which 
are  spoken,  signify  the  bringing  of  the  soul  which  is  thus 
cleansed,  into  the  Baptism,  or  under  the  complete 
influence,  of  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost,  which  is  life 
everlasting.  This  outward  sign  is  given  by  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  as  the  token  and  seal  of  a  covenant  between  Himself 
and  the  believing  parents;  a  covenant  whereby  He  doth 
engage  to  provide,  and  they  to  use,  His  Divine  grace  and 
guidance  for  themselves  and  their  children ;  so  that,  if 
they  do  not  receive  these  everlasting  blessings  of  His 
kingdom,  it  will  be  from  no  lack  of  faithfulness  on  His 
part. 


IN  GERMANTOWN.  93 

The  parents,  who  desire  thus  to  present  their  children 
for  Baptism,  will  show  the  same  by  rising. 

Beloved  in  the  Lord ;  consider  what  is  your  part  in  that 
solemn  covenant  with  God,  Avhich  you  are  now  to  seal. 

It  implies  that  you  confess  the  need  of  a  Divine 
cleansing  for  us  all,  seeing  we  are  by  nature  sinful,  guilty 
and  polluted :  that  you  look  for  this  cleansing  unto  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  accept  Him  to  be  Saviour  and 
King  unto  yourselves  and  your  children ;  that  you  engage 
to  teach  them  His  will,  as  it  is  written  in  the  Holy 
Scriptures ;  [and  for  a  summary  of  this,  we  recommend  to 
you  the  Catechism  of  the  Church ;]  that  you  will  pray 
with  them,  and  for  them;  setting  them  an  example  of  piety 
and  godliness,  and  endeavoring  by  all  the  means  of  God's 
appointment,  to  bring  them  up  in  the  nurture  and. 
admonition  of  the  L^rd. 

Is  it  your  desire  now  to  seal  this  covenant,  and  to  keep 
it  faithfully  hereafter  by  God's  grace? 

[Prayer:    Baptism:    Prayer:    Hymn.] 

Marriage  Formula. 

God  be  merciful  unto  us,  and  bless  us,  and  cause  His 
face  to  shine  upon  us. 

Dearly  Beloved  :  Let  us  have  the  comfortable  assurance 
that  the  Lord  our  God  is  willing,  most  graciously  to  have 
regard  unto  those  who  come  before  Him  to  be  united  in 
marriage.  For  it  was  by  God  our  Creator,  that  this  holy 
estate  of  matrimony  was  established,  when  Himself  united 
in  marriage  our  first  parents,  in  all  the  purity  and  inno- 
cence of  the  garden  of  Eden.  It  was  confirmed  by  the 
gracious  presence  and  miraculous  blessing  of  God  our 
Saviour  at  the  wedding  in  Cana.  And  God  the  Holy 
Ghost  hath  declared  it  honorable  in  all,  and  made  it  a 
symbol  of  the  union  between  Christ  and  His  Church. 


94  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

Wherefore  since  marriage  is  in  itself  a  holy  thing,  and 
well  pleasing  in  the  sight  of  God  the  Father,  Son,  and 
Holy   Ghost,   you  ought  with  all  confidence  and  strong 
desire  to  look  unto  Him  for  His  sanction  and  blessing. 
Let  us  Pray. 

Most  gracious  God  our  heavenly  Father,  we  beseech 
Thee  for  these,  Thy  son  and  daughter,  that  they  may, 
with  reverent  trust  in  Thee,  enter  into  this  covenant  of 
marriage.  Look  upon  them  with  Thy  favor  and  blessing  : 
and  do  Thou  bear  witness  to  their  vows,  which  are  made 
not  only  to  each  other  but  to  Thee.  Grant  this,  oh 
Father,  with  the  forgiveness  of  our  sins,  through  Jesus 
Christ,  Thy  Son.     Amen. 

In  further  token  of  your  desire  and  purpose,  let  each  of 
you  now  take  the  other  by  the  right  hand. 

[To  the  Afa/f.'] 

Do   you,   [A.]  take  her  whom   you  now  hold    by  the 

hand,  before  God  and  these  witnesses,  to  be  your  wife? 

Do  you  promise  to  love  her,  honor  her,  defend  her,  sustain 

and  cherish,  her  in  joy  and  in  sorrow,  in  health  and  in 

sickness,  in  prosperity  and  in  adversity;  to  be  faithful  to 

her  in  all  things,  as  becometh  a  good  husband,  and  never 

forsake  her,  so  long  as  you  both  do  live  ? 

[I  do.] 

[71?  //le  Wo7nan.\ 

Do  you,  [B.]  take  him  whom  you  now  hold  by  the 
hand,  before  God  and  these  witnesses,  to  be  your  husband? 
Do  you  promise  to  love  him,  honor  him,  cherish  and  obey 
him,  in  joy  and  in  sorrow,  in  health  and  in  sickness,  in 
prosperity  and  in  adversity ;  to  be  faithful  to  him  in  all 
things,  as  becometh  a  good  wife,  and  never  forsake  him  so 
long  as  you  both  do  live? 

[I  do.] 


IX  GERMANTOWN.  95 

\_/ii  case  a  Ring  is  to  be  used.  ] 

You  have  signified  your  desire  to  use  a  Ring,  as  the 
visible  sign  and  seal  of  your  marriage.  Do  you  therefore 
now  give  this  Ring  in  token  that  you  will  truly  perform 
these  your  vows  ? 

Do  you  receive  this  Ring  in  token  of  the  same  on  your 
part  ? 
[I  do.] 
Let  each  again  take  the  other  by  the  right  hand.] 

Now,  therefore,  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  Son,  and 
Holy  Ghost,  I  pronounce  you  husband  and  wife. 

What  God  hath  joined  together,  let  not  man  put  asunder. 

Let  us  Pray. 

O  God,  our  heavenly  Father,  grant  unto  these  Thy 
children  grace,  that  they  may  faithfully  keep  this  vow  and 
covenant  which  they  have  now  made,  and  steadfastly  abide 
in  holy  love,  to  each  other  and  to  Thee.  Shine  upon 
them  with  the  fulness  of  Thy  Divine  love.  And  above 
all,  as  Thou  hast  made  these  twain  to  become  one  flesh, 
grant  them  also  that  one  Spirit,  by  Whose  grace  they  may 
each  be  united  unto  Christ,  Thy  Son  ;  that  this  union  one 
to  another,  may  be  in  the  Lord,  and  may  cause  them  the 
better  to  serve  Thee  and  rejoice  in  Thee,  not  only  in 
this  world,  but  in  that  which  is  to  come,  through  Jesus 
Christ,  Thy  Son.     Amen. 

The  Lord  bless  you  and  keep  you ;  the  Lord  make  His 
face  to  shine  upon  you,  and  be  gracious  unto  you  ;  the 
Lord  lift  up  His  countenance  upon  you,  and  give  you 
peace  ! 


CONSTITUTION  AND  BY-LAVS 


PASTORAL  AID    SOCIETY. 


CONSTITUTION, 


I. — Name. 

This  Association  shall  be  known  as  the  Pastoral  Aid 
Society  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  in  Germantovvn. 

II. — Objects. 

Its  general  object  shall  be,  to  organize  the  ladies  of  the 
congregation  for  Christian  usefulness. 

Its  specific  objects  and  i:)lans  shall  be  determined,  from 
time  to  time,  by  agreement  between  the  Society  and  the 
Session. 

III. — Membership. 

Any  lady  connected  with  the  Church  or  congregation 
may  become  a  member  of  this  Society,  on  signing  its 
constitution ;  by  which  act  it  is  understood  that  she 
pledges  herself  to  observg  its  regulations,  and  to  aid  in  its 
active  work,  unless  prevented  by  higher  duties. 

IV. — Organization. 

1.  The  officers  of  the  Society  shall  consist  of  a  President, 
Vice  President,  Secretary,  and  Treasurer. 

2.  The  work  of  the  Society  shall  be  performed  by  means 
of  Standing  Committees,  each  having  charge  of  its  own 
specific  object. 

3.  There  shall  be  an  Executive  Committee,  consisting 
of  the  President  and  Secretary,  with  three  other  members. 
It  shall  have  general  supervision  of  the  Society's  work, 
and  shall  agree  with  the  Session  upon  the  above-named 


lOO  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

"specific  objects"  of  efifort.  It  shall  have  power  to  call 
special  meetings  of  the  Society,  to  transfer  members  from 
one  Standing  Committee  to  another,  and  to  form  new 
Standing  Committees,  at  the  desire  or  with  the  consent  of 
the  members  immediately  interested.  It  shall  itself  have 
membership  ex  officio  in  every  Standing  Committee,  and  in 
all  its  proceedings  shall  be  subject  to  correction  by  a  vote 
of  the  Society. 

V. — Meetings. 

1.  The  Society  shall  hold  a  regular  meeting  Avithin  the 
first  week  of  April,  June,  October,  December  and  February. 

2.  At  the  April  meeting,  the  Secretary  and  Treasurer 
shall  present  their  annual  reports ;  and  there  shall  be  held 
an  election  of  Officers  and  Executive  Committee  for  the 
ensuing  year. 

3.  Ten  members  shall  constitute  a  quonun  for  the  trans- 
action of  business  at  any  meeting. 

4.  After  each  regular  meeting,  the  Secretary  shall  cause 
the  minute-book  to  be  laid  before  the  Church  Session. 

VI. — Amendments. 

Amendments  to  this  constitution  may  be  proposed  at  any 
regular  meeting,  but  the  vote  thereon  shall  not  be  taken 
until  the  ensuing  regular  meeting,  and  the  consent  of  two- 
thirds  of  those  present  shall  be  required  for  their  adoption. 


IN  GERMANTOWN.    '  IQI 


BY-LAWS, 


I. — Standing  Committees  and  Their  Duties. 
The  Standing  Committees  shall  be  as  follows : 

MISSIONARY    WORK. 

1.  On  Domestic  Missions:  to  continue  the  work  of  the 
Domestic  Missionary  Society  founded  in  1852.  (See 
Appendix  to  By-Laws,  i.) 

2.  On  Foreign  Missions:  to  aid  in  Woman's  Work  for 
Woman. 

NEIGHBORHOOD    WORK. 

1.  On  Bible-reader's  Work:  to  continue  the  work  of 
the  Bible-reader's  Association  founded  in  1868.  (See 
Appendix  2.) 

2.  On  Mothers' Meeting:  to  conduct  meetings  of  women 
for  sewing  and  reading,  with  religious  exercises. 

3.  On  Dorcas  Work :  to  meet  weekly  and  sew,  for  the 
purpose  of  supplying  destitute  Sunday-sehool  children  and 
others  with  clothing. 

4.  On  Relief  of  the  Poor:  to  distribute  the  poor  fund  of 
the  Church,  making  annual  report  thereof  directly  to  the 
Session. 

5.  On  Tracts:  to  procure  tracts  and  other  religious 
reading,  for  distribution  by  the  Visiting  Committees  and 
the  Bible- reader. 

6.  On  Pulaski  Sunday-school  Work :  to  care  for  the 
interests  of  the  Pulaski  Sunday-school,  originated  through 
this  Society. 


I02  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

7.  On  Somerville  Sunday-school  Work:   to  care  for  the 
interests  of  the  Somerville  Sunday-school. 

8.  On    Presbyterian    Home :    to   aid    the    Presbyterian 
Home  for  Widows  and  Single  Women,  at  West  Philadelphia. 

9.  On  Hospitals :  to  aid  the  Presbyterian  and  the  Ger- 
man town  Hospitals. 

WORK    WITHIN    THE    CONGREGATION. 

1.  On   Systematic  Visiting:    to  visit   regularly  all    the 
families  of  the  church  and  congregation. 

2.  On    Social   Receptions :     to   take    charge   of  social 
meetings  at  the  church. 

3.  On  Providing  Flowers  for  Church  Services. 

4.  On  Care  of  Church  Building  :   to  oversee  the  work  of 
keeping  it  in  order. 

5.  On  Ladies'    Prayer   Meetings:     to   hold    devotional 
meetings  for  the  ladies  of  the  congregation. 

6.  On  Parish  Library. 

IL — Order  of  Exercises. 

The  following  order  of  exercises  shall  be  observed  at  the 
regular  meetings,  viz. : 

1.  Reading  of  Scripture. 

2.  Silent  Prayer. 

3.  Prayer  and  remarks  by  the  Pastor,  if  present. 

4.  Reading  minutes. 

5.  Reports  from  the  Standing  Committees  in  their  order. 

6.  Unfinished  business. 

7.  New  business. 

8.  Adjournment. 


IN  GERMANTOWN. 


103 


At  the  annual  meeting  the  following  order  shall  be 
observed,  after  reading  the  minutes,  and  before  taking  up 
unfinished  business: 

1.  Treasurer's  annual  report. 

2.  Appointment  of  Committee  to  nominate  officers  for 
the  ensuing  year. 

3.  Secretary's  annual  report. 

4.  Election  of  officers. 

III. — Fines  for  Absence. 

Every  member  absent  from  a  regular  meeting,  shall  be 
fined  ten  cents,  unless  excused  by  the  Executive  Committee. 

IV. — Amendments. 

These  By-laws  may  be  amended,  by  consent  of  two-thirds 
of  the  members  present  at  any  meeting. 

Appendix  Added  to  By-Laws  in  1870. 

1.  The  Domestic  Missionary  Society  was  founded  in 
1852,  for  sending  relief  to  needy  missionaries  under  the 
care  of  the  Presbyterian  Board  of  Domestic  Missions. 
During  eight  years,  (1862  to  1870),  it  sent  out  nineteen 
boxes,  valued  at  $4,500.  The  aggregate  of  its  contribution 
to  the  cause,  up  to  1870,  was  not  far  from  $10,000.  In 
order  to  promote  the  efficiency  of  church  work,  it  con- 
nected itself  with  the  Pastoral  Aid  Society,  May  4,  1870, 
taking  the  name  and  duties  of  Standing  Committee  on 
Domestic  Missions. 

2.  The  Bible-reader's  Association  was  formed  in  1868, 
for  the  purpose  of  carrying  the  gospel  message  to  those  who 


I04  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

are  strangers  to  the  sanctuary  and  its  teachings,  and  also 
relief  to  pressing  temporal  wants.  For  this  purpose  a 
visitor  is  employed,  and  supplied  with  German  and  English 
tracts,  and  with  funds  for  distribution.  A  Mothers' 
Meeting  has  been  established  in  connection  with  it.  One 
thousand  dollars  were  received  into  its  treasury  up  to  May 
4,  1870 ;  at  which  date,  in  order  to  promote  the  efficiency 
of  Church  work,  it  connected  itself  with  the  Pastoral  Aid 
Society,  taking  the  name  and  duties  of  Standing  Com- 
mittee on  Bible-reader's  work. 

[In  order  to  present  these  methods  of  work  in  their  true 
light,  it  may  be  well  to  mention  that  the  above  plan  was 
formed  as  one  part  of  a  larger  scheme,  including  the  whole 
congregation.  Most  of  the  elements  for  organizing  such  a 
scheme  have  come  into  existence  within  the  church,  but 
it  has  always  seemed  best  to  act  gradually,  taking  each  step 
as  the  way  for  it  was  opened  by  the  Providence  of  God, 
and  therefore  the  final  combination  of  these  elements  has 
not  yet  been  made. 

The  idea  was  that  of  a  Church  League  for  Christian 
work,  of  which  the  Pastoral  Aid  Society  would  form  the 
Ladies'  Auxiliary,  and  a  similar  organization  the  Young 
Men's  Auxiliary.  The  whole  League  would  have  for 
President,  the  Pastor:  for  Executive  Committee,  the 
Session ;  and  for  Financial  Committee,  the  Board  of 
Trustees.  It  would  have  a  Sunday-school  Section,  another 
for  Mission  Schools,  and  one  for  each  of  the  further  objects 
which  might  be  undertaken. 

Any  work  which  is  best  done  by  Young  Men,  or  by 
Ladies,  would  be  given  to  the  proper  Auxiliary :  and  that 
which  requires  the  combined  effort  of  both,  to  the  League 
itself. 

It  would  thus  include  all  the  active  members  of  the 
church,  and  could  very  properly  expect  to  have  its  various 


IN  GERMANTOWN. 


105 


operations  made  the  subject  of  prayer,  exhortation,  and 
discussion,  at  the  second  prayer  meeting  in  each  month  : 
the  first  being  given  to  Foreign  Missions. 

The  existence  of  such  a  plan,  even  as  an  ideal  not  yet 
fully  accomplished,  has  had  its  influence  on  the  develop- 
ment of  Church  life,  and  is  therefore  mentioned  in  this 
place.] 


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